Gross image alert - No wonder my foot's been hurting!
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326340)
Rockingham, Australia
March 6, 2017 5:15pm CST
Yesterday I very stupidly didn't put on boots and socks when we went out to do a few chores. So of course I had to get bitten on the toe by a bull-ant, also known as a sergeant ant. These give a very painful sting and I knew it would be sore for a day or two.
Sure enough it was. Next morning it was red, itchy and a bit puffy but I could get my Japanese workboots (flipflops [thongs in Australia]) so I just put up with it. But last night when I went to bed I discovered several huge blisters. I put insect repellent on them. I read somewhere that this helps take the sting out. Then I took a photo and an antihistamine and went to bed.
I slept well, no doubt because of the antihistamine. The blisters are still there. With luck, I'll get lots of sympathy if they are still there on Friday when we have our house-concert. Don't come to Australia folks, it's not for the faint-hearted!
46 people like this
53 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
6 Mar 17
Yeah that looks pretty sore. Would soaking it in cool water and epsom salts help?
4 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
6 Mar 17
Oh my goodness that looks painful! I'm sorry. 
I'm allergic to the fire ants we have here so my foot swells and it's itchy and painful.
I'm allergic to the fire ants we have here so my foot swells and it's itchy and painful.4 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
7 Mar 17
@JudyEv Yes they can. They hurt really bad! There's a reason their called "fire" ants.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326340)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Mar 17
@LovingMyBabies I think they are the ones they were trying to keep out of Australia but I don't think they succeeded.
@Happy2BeMe (99390)
• Canada
6 Mar 17
Oh my that looks so painful. I hope you get some relief soon and that it starts healing.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (326340)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Mar 17
@Happy2BeMe Thanks. Off to bed shortly so it will have a chance to do a bit more healing. :)
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99390)
• Canada
7 Mar 17
@JudyEv I am glad to hear that it feels better.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Mar 17
Ahhhhh! I just looked up the image . . . those ants seem to be HUGE! My daughter is a bug lover and I showed her your blister and the ants that did it . . . even she cringed!! Well please do take of your foot . . . hopefully it will get better soon!!3 people like this
@JudyEv (326340)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Mar 17
@much2say The other image was covered in repellent. But it looks worse now. The blisters look really hard and the area on the toe is really red now. I'm tempted to put up another post but probably enough is enough - or even too much. 
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130212)
• India
7 Mar 17
What would you be wearing to match those flip flops. You said you were in a concert. Right? 
Now for the serious part. Those boils do not look that you can ignore them.
Now for the serious part. Those boils do not look that you can ignore them.3 people like this
@JudyEv (326340)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Mar 17
We have outdoor concerts down on a grassed area. It isn't happening till Friday evening but we have to start getting ourselves organised a few days before. I was too lazy to go back and change my flipflops for decent footwear so I paid the price. The blisters will go down themselves in a day or two. They don't hurt now.
@Tampa_girl7 (49161)
• United States
7 Mar 17
Mississippi has its fair share of nasty ants too
i hope you heal quickly.
i hope you heal quickly.2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (49161)
• United States
8 Mar 17
@JudyEv yes they do and it can sometimes be deadly if you get too many bites. We had a family member die from ant bites.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326340)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Mar 17
@Tampa_girl7 Oh dear, that would have been terrible. I'm so sorry. Were they a special sort of ant?
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
7 Mar 17
Here in Texas @JudyEv , we have what are called Fire Ants. They bite as well and will leave a big, red, blister. Fortunately, I've been bitten so many times by them that I have built up an immunity to them. So now when I get bit, I don't even get a red mark.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
8 Mar 17
@JudyEv Very true (allergic reactions). I know when I got stung by over 100 bees, I thought I would be in big trouble. Fortunately I'm safe there too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326340)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Mar 17
@nanette64 100 bees! That would be dreadful. Marie (@Tampa_girl7) lost a relative to ant bites. Very sad.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
7 Mar 17
And Australia has lots of snakes, right Ms. Judy? On the other hand NZ does not have any snake :)
3 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
7 Mar 17
@JudyEv Hahaha! God really has spread His creation evenly among nations :)
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
7 Mar 17
Omg .this is bad
Please take care.
Is it very painful?
Ate these very common in your area
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326340)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Mar 17
@amitkokiladitya We are having an outdoor music concert here on Friday and we were setting up a portable men's toilet which is tucked in behind some bushes.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
7 Mar 17
@JudyEv why did you go to the bushes?
1 person likes this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
7 Mar 17
Yeouch! That sure does look painful!
I've never heard of putting insect repellent on a bite. I would think that would make it hurt worse!
2 people like this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
7 Mar 17
@JudyEv I hope they heal quickly for you.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326340)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Mar 17
@nonersays Thank you. A quick heal would be really good. :)
@LeaPea2417 (36529)
• Toccoa, Georgia
7 Mar 17
I am sorry that happened to you. I always tell my husband to wear his shoes outside. He sometimes doesn't and will get an ant bite.
2 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
6 Mar 17
I think you should try a different cream... it looks very sore....
2 people like this
@Fleura (29235)
• United Kingdom
7 Mar 17
That does look painful. I loved Australia but you're right, I wouldn't like to live there because I love to garden and I want to be able to do it without always having to cover myself in factor 50 sunscreen and dress up in long sleeves, trousers, boots and gloves!
2 people like this
