4-month old baby in Cebu hospitalized due to allergic reaction to ant bite

A four-month old baby from Liloan, Cebu was rushed to the hospital after developing an allergic reaction to the bite of ants.

On Tuesday night’s segment of “Kuya Kim Ano na,” a mother relates her experience on her child's allergic reaction to ant bites and experts share advise on first aid treatment and pest control.

Mafei Pastoril said they had to rush her child, Baby Bumble, to the emergency room when she rashes developed after being bitten by ants even after rash cream was applied to the affected areas.

“Kinagat siya, pero bakit whole body niya re-red, may pantal-pantal, mainit. ‘Yong ears niya malaki na so takbo kami agad sa E.R.,” she said.

Turns out, Baby Bumble is allergic to ants.

Kuya Kim explained that there are about 12,000 species of ants in the world and most of these are harmless. However, some bite or sting as a form of their defense against harm.

When ants bite, these secrete formic acid as their form of self-defense. The ants also release pheromones as warning to other ants.

Formic acid have allergens that causes allergic reaction, said Entomologist and Pest Management professional Alhmar Cervantes.

He added that each person has a different reaction to allergens.

Kuya Kim explained, “Madalas harmless ang kagat ng langgam. Ngunit kung ikaw ay may allergy dito, maaaring makaranas ng anaphylactic shock.”

Anaphylaxis, he added, is an allergic reaction that affects the entire body and respiratory system that may become fatal.

First aid for ant bites

For the initial action to ant bites, Occupational Health Physician Dr. Lester Danganan advised, “Ilayo agad ang baby sa lugar kung saan maraming langgam."

"Maaring hugasan ‘yong parte ng katawan gamit ang mild soap, pwede din magpahid ng cold compress sa mga bahagi na nakagat at iwasan magpahid ng kung anu-ano na walang payo ng doktor," said Danganan.

“Kung may labis na pamamaga o kaya naman nawalan ng malay kailangan agad dalhin ang pasyente sa pinakamalapit na emergency room,” he advised.

Minimize presence of ants at home

In order to lessen or minimize the presence of ants in the home, Kuya Kim advises to keep the surroundings clean especially near food and water source.

Look for cracks or openings that the ants may enter and seal these off using repellant chalk or natural repellants like a mixture of water, vinegar, and peppermint. -- Carby Basina/BAP, GMA Integrated News