Got Ant Bite And Developed Discolouration On Hand. How To Treat This?

Posted on Sat, 30 Mar 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 Answered on

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My 9yr old developed some discoloration on her hand about 2 weeks ago. She says that she was bitten by ants in that same area the day before the discoloration appeared. The area is not getting larger, but it does appear to be darkening. Does this seem reasonable and if so how should it be treated?

Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (3 hours later)

Hi,

The response by the skin to different irritants would differ greatly in the early years. The ant bite could be reasonable answer. If your child did not develop fever, body pains and the rash does not multiply or increase in area the reason appears valid. The skin takes a month to regenerate on its own.

If you daughter complains of pain you can apply aspirin paste over it (if not allergic to aspirin). If it is only cosmetic, Caladryl lotion would just do.

Let me know if you have further inquiry

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli