The degree of swelling can interfere with function and need steroids. Hand or foot bites can cause swelling that crosses the wrist (or ankle). Sometimes, fire ant bites can cause severe swelling. Stings of the upper face can cause severe swelling around the eye. Normal swelling from venom can increase for 24 hours after the sting. Sometimes, they can last for up to a week. They usually open on their own by 3 days. These pimples are almost diagnostic for fire ant stings. Pimples with yellow fluid (pustules) occur at the sting site within 24 hours (96%). This looks like a red spot with raised white center. Hive-like bump occurs at sting site within 30 minutes (100%). Itching follows the pain and can last for weeks. The pain is far less than that of a bee sting. Pain and burning at the site usually lasts 10 minutes.
The main symptoms are pain, burning, swelling and redness at the sting site.
