Prevention and primary care treatment of stings from imported fire ants.

Stings from imported fire ants constitute a problem encountered more and more frequently in practice settings across the Southern United States. Envenomation (impregnation of venom) in children is especially common. Current medical regimens for the treatment of other stinging insects are of little value in preventing local cutaneous reactions to fire-ant stings. The pathogenesis of reactions from imported-fire-ant stings is discussed, and suggestions for prevention, treatment and patient education are provided.