Jack Jumper Allergy Research

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Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby Overlandman » Thu 04 Dec, 2014 6:36 pm

I may have to get tested for desensitizing as a bite from one is not good for my health:?

From ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-04/j ... ection=tas

Medical researchers at the University of Tasmania are trying to determine why some people cannot be desensitised to potentially fatal jack jumper ant stings.

Jack jumpers are endemic to Tasmania and Victoria.

Heather Francis from the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation said for about one per cent of Tasmanians, a bite from one of the aggressive ants could be life-threatening, sending them into anaphylactic shock.

"If you're not from Tasmania or Victoria, chances are you may not even be aware of the jack jumper ant and yet it's classified as one of the world's most deadly," she said.

The Royal Hobart Hospital has been running a successful desensitisation program for Tasmanians who are allergic to the jack jumper bite.

Since its launch in 2003, there have been no jack jumper deaths recorded in the state.

The anaphylactic reaction amongst a small but significant number of the Tasmanian community makes this really valuable research activity.
Heather Francis from the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation

But about 10 per cent of patients do not respond to desensitisation.

Medical researcher Bruce Lyons is developing a blood test to find out why.

"Because at the moment, really, to tell if someone's been desensitised, the only gold standard is actually to see how they experience a sting, whether or not they have anaphylactic shock or not and of course that's not desirable," he said.

"So that's why we're trying to move towards this more non-invasive approach."

Dr Lyons said they have seen a strong indication that some blood cells are important in controlling what type of immune response people have.

"So we're hoping that we'll be able to interrogate those cells and work out whether or not the immune response is changing from a dangerous anaphylactic shock type response through to another type of response which is protective," he said.

The study should help Dr Lyons formulate a way of predicting who will respond to desensitisation.

"The anaphylactic reaction amongst a small but significant number of the Tasmanian community makes this really valuable research activity," said Mrs Francis.

The research team is hoping for some results next year.
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby perfectlydark » Fri 05 Dec, 2014 12:44 pm

Intersting work. I wasnt aware it could trigger a reaction in some people. Not terribly surprising though as still one of my most painful memorys
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby MartyGwynne » Sat 06 Dec, 2014 12:20 pm

One of the little blighters bit me on the thumb last Monday, my god how painful is the bite (I had forgotten).
It has left a tiny little blood blister type of spot under the skin where it got me.
Fortunately I am not of the 1% who have an allergy to them, but I must say I have only been bitten by them about ten times all up (about once every five years, maybe less).
I know where that nest is now.....
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby Overlandman » Sat 06 Dec, 2014 4:52 pm

My story,
For forty five years of my life I had no issues with the occasional jack jumper bite, then one afternoon on the farm I was brush cutting a track walking backwards down a slope & received multiple bites around my right ankle when I stood in a nest for too long. My body was covered in welts & all my joints started to swell.
A couple of years later I was mowing the lawn, pushed the mower over a nest, my feet followed & once again I had multiple bites. Along with the symptoms above I had difficulty breathing. Since then I have only had one more bite, this produced all of the above symptoms.
I now carry antihistamines & tend to keep a bit of an eye out for the ants to minimize being bitten again.
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby perfectlydark » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:23 am

Farout one.bite is unbearable, cant imagine multiple bites like that!
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby dunamis » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 1:07 pm

I'm becoming sensitised too. Have had a number of single bites before and gotten over them but a few years ago one week I was bitten about three times while camping. I was the only one hit and it was like they were targeting me. Eventually had to find the nest and destroy them.
Tried all kinds of antihistamine but lots of painful swelling and hard to move. Lasted a lot longer. I'm pretty wary now.
Apparently they kill more people in tassie than sharks, spiders and snakes combined. Aggressive little buggers.
They even attack wasp nests.
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby GPSGuided » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 5:08 pm

How did you destroy their underground nest, completely? Wouldn't it just cause more chaos?
Just move it!
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby corvus » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 8:17 pm

Have Bull Ants in my front yard and happy to live with them ,fascinating creatures ,offer the hunters Wasps ( I give them the clap to stun/kill them) and they are welcomed however Blow Flies are quickly rejected by the nest protectors guess like us their larvae can eat Wasps but not keen on fly maggots ?
Got to love nature eh!!
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby horsecat » Mon 08 Dec, 2014 5:04 pm

Apparently there is a fair waiting time for this according to my doctor. He's placed me on the list so it will be interesting to see how long it takes, and if it works
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby dunamis » Tue 09 Dec, 2014 1:55 am

GPSGuided wrote:How did you destroy their underground nest, completely? Wouldn't it just cause more chaos?


If the nest is in my yard I pour some 2 stroke down it and light it up. If I'm camping I take ant powder. Ant Dust chlorpyrifos or diazinon work best on jack jumpers according to research.
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby GPSGuided » Tue 09 Dec, 2014 3:15 am

Wow, that serious!
Just move it!
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby devoswitch » Tue 16 Dec, 2014 2:57 pm

I'm originally from NZ and have never had a bite from a Jack jumper as of yet. I have no idea how my body will react when I do inevitably get bitten. I do all my walks solo and usually carry antihistamines just in case of adverse reactions to insects etc. Does anyone know the best sort of Antihistamines to use on Jack jumpers by any chance? Thanks heaps, I understand this is more of a question for my doctor but thought someone may be able to share some of their knowledge. :-)
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby GPSGuided » Tue 16 Dec, 2014 3:31 pm

Define "best".
Just move it!
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby horsecat » Tue 16 Dec, 2014 4:13 pm

If you're concerned, get a blood test done and if you have an allergy your doctor will prescribe an Epi Pen. If you have an allergy to them you may also have allergies to bees etc. I have to carry the Pen with me (only found out I had an issue three years ago so was pretty lucky really). I don't think antihistamines would help much if you have an anaphylactic reaction (but I'm not a doctor though)
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby Moondog55 » Tue 16 Dec, 2014 4:59 pm

Yanno I've been walking here for a long time but never heard of these ants, maybe I should get out Gippsland way more often
I have however been stung/bitten by Green Tree ants and those little buggers pack a punch.
Bee a long time since I was bitten or stung by anything except mozzies too
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby whiskeylover » Tue 16 Dec, 2014 5:09 pm

Phenergan is one of the best (and oldest) antihistamines around - unfortunately it also makes you sleepy which makes it difficult to assess how you are going and whether you are recovering.
Claratyne (loratidine) is the usual recommended non-sleepy antihistamine.
If you are still able to swallow then it is best to take an antihistamine when having an allergic reaction. An oral tablet may take 15 - 20 minutes to take effect so the Epipen (adrenaline), which is only short acting (subcutaneous injection), is to buy you some time and reverse the life threatening sequelae - the dramatic vasodilation (causing drop in blood pressure) and the massive bronchoconstriction (causing shortness of breath/airway constriction). The epipen will only last a short amount of time (10-30mins depending on absorption due to subcutaneous route), and once it wears off the allergic reaction may continue.
We also give hydrocortisone (a steroid) intravenously if possible to people with anaphylaxis.
So the take home message is - if you suspect an allergic reaction get some claratyne into them quickly as this is the best way to actually stop the reaction - some people need higher doses - discuss with your doctor.
Most people who carry an epipen should also be carrying an antihistamine with them - there are others available but claratyne is the most common.
medicinal purposes only of course
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby devoswitch » Tue 16 Dec, 2014 6:12 pm

GPSGuided wrote:Define "best".


Really GPS? Surely you can understand that by "best" I meant the most appropriate antihistamine for the type of bite inflicted by the ant...

Thanks to you others for your info. Whiskeylover that information was very beneficial to me. I think I'll definitely go to the doctor and have a test done.
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby Snowzone » Tue 16 Dec, 2014 8:21 pm

I always carry Clarintyne with me. I am allergic but not anaphylaxic to most bites and stings, so far. I find over time I develope immunity to different antihistamines so have to keep a bit of a change around with Claryintyne working the best. I have been told if I carry an epipen, I need to carry a second dose because of the short acting nature of it and I am usually in a remote area.
The last ant bite from the Grampians area left a very swollen area the size of a tennis ball on my lower back area. I have no doubt the bite if in the throat area would have been a problem.
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby devoswitch » Tue 16 Dec, 2014 8:30 pm

Wow that sounds really sore Snowzone. For such little creatures they sure can pack a punch.
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby anne3 » Wed 17 Dec, 2014 5:17 pm

Two years ago I had an anaphylactic reaction to a Jumping Jack and last month got bitten again and did the whole epipen thing. I am under the understanding that an anaphylactic reaction is a complete different reaction to a normal(?) allergic over reaction, that an antihistamine will help. I see a specialist in the January so I hopefully will find out the facts and see if desensitisation could be an option.
I think of all the years I have been out and about, in remote areas, far from medical help and never got bitten by anything. So lucky I was at home both times I was bitten. (We moved to a Jumping Jack infested area two years ago)
I also know that I would of been bitten by a Jumping Jack at least once before I had the reaction, as you can not have a anaphylactic reaction to a first time bite.
Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong :)
I carry an epirb when out and about and I now carry two epipens as well.
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Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby GPSGuided » Wed 17 Dec, 2014 6:10 pm

devoswitch wrote:Really GPS? Surely you can understand that by "best" I meant the most appropriate antihistamine for the type of bite inflicted by the ant...

As yourself already noted, your question relates to prescription decision making. Especially on the net, there are question to be asked. Whilst others have spent the time and wrote paragraphs on the matter, the referenced one may still not be suitable/best for your specific situation. At the end of the day, oral antihistamine has significant pharmacological effects that really is not to be used unless specifically needed.

Find out your allergy status if you are so concerned, then go from there. Otherwise, maybe only an EpiPen may save you, or not, and all these talk of antihistamine are wasted.

If you don't have a notable allergy issue, maybe a topical ointment may be best for you than ingested tablets.

Horsecat is exactly on the money with his advice. But don't just jump for an EpiPen next. Its effects can also kill patients when under certain circumstances.
Just move it!
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby dunamis » Wed 17 Dec, 2014 7:29 pm

devoswitch wrote:I'm originally from NZ and have never had a bite from a Jack jumper as of yet. I have no idea how my body will react when I do inevitably get bitten. I do all my walks solo and usually carry antihistamines just in case of adverse reactions to insects etc. Does anyone know the best sort of Antihistamines to use on Jack jumpers by any chance? Thanks heaps, I understand this is more of a question for my doctor but thought someone may be able to share some of their knowledge. :-)


I have contacted the guys who run the desensitisation program but they haven't compared antihistamines and basically told me to suck it and see. ie be your own guinea pig
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby Overlandman » Sat 21 Dec, 2019 6:53 am

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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby Son of a Beach » Mon 23 Dec, 2019 7:09 am

Sorry I'm such a pedant, but after reading many of the earlier posts in this resurrected thread, I can't help myself...

It's not the jack jumper bite that is the problem. It's their sting, which, like a wasp, is in a separate stinger at the other end of the ant.

If you've ever been "lucky" enough to see the moment that a jack jumper stings you, you can see that it often starts with a bite, but this bite is harmless and merely serves the purpose of getting a good grip to ensure that the sting can then be shoved in more effectively, with the ant's body in bent into an inverted 'U' shape.
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby Heremeahappy1 » Mon 23 Dec, 2019 10:09 pm

Cheers SOaB, you learn something new every day. I'd always assumed bite, not sting. Not that it mattered, growing up in barefeet and the bush, numerous jumping jack stings. Thinking on the pain and swelling, I'm glad not to have an adverse reaction, in fact, of anything the reactions diminished each time. Had a whole nest of bullants pour over my gumboots onto my sockless feet when I was 12. Gives me the shivers to recall this. Maybe built some sort of tolerance?
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby neilmny » Tue 24 Dec, 2019 5:22 am

Hmmm your bullant experience reminds me of a great lesson in kharma that my mates and I learned at a young age.
Someone came up with the genious :roll: idea of throwing a cracker (firework) on a bullants nest to see what would happen.
Problem was we were all standing on another nest watching, we also all had on the old plastic sandles with all the openings in them.
End result of that experiment was many many stings and bites from some seriosuly angry bullants (luckily no one was allergic).
As the saying goes kharma is a bugger :oops:
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Re: Jack Jumper Allergy Research

Postby vagrom » Thu 26 Dec, 2019 11:43 pm

A couple of interesting bush remedies here too.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... WlT_1iFijM
Surgite et .. andiamo!
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