Child with fire-ant bites. what's the best treatment?

Fire ant bites: Oral antihistamine such as Diphenhydramine (benadryl) for relief of itching and prevention of secondary infection secondary to deep scratching by child. The "white heads" on the ant bites are not a sign of infection but rather a sterile material caused by formic acid injected during the bite. Topical mupurocin (bactroban) at first signs of true secondary infection is helpful.

Fire Ants don't : Actually bite. Pinchers grip skin while stinging injects solenopsin - an alkaloid venom. Apply a 1 to 1 mix of baking soda & water to decrease pain & reaction. Or try paste of water & meat tenderizer or Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for itching. Do not squeeze or disrupt the lesions that develop. About 15% of people are allergic to fire ant stings. For anaphylactic rxn call 911 for immediate treatment.