Angioneurotic oedema following red ant bite

Abstract

A toddler, who was in good health, had a sudden onset of crying while playing. His parents noticed three to four red ants on his right foot. They took him home after getting rid of all the ants. After 30 min, it was clear that he was having trouble breathing and that his lips and eyelids were swollen (figure 1A). He had weak pulses, with a heart rate of 180 beats/min and a respiratory rate of 40 beats/min with stridor. Anaphylaxis was diagnosed clinically.