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Most people cringe at the thought of being near a spider, let alone being bitten by one. Although death is rare, learning how to treat a spider bite is important if you want to avoid medical complications. Unfortunately, only Spider-Man gets any benefits from spider bites these days.
- Arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders, might seem like an irrational fear to some, but spider bites can be very serious. Before you start to panic, realize that spiders are not even close to being the deadliest animal in the United States. A Wilderness Medical Society study showed that distinction lies with horses, deer and cows. Even dogs are more deadly than spiders.KNBC: Deer Among 10 Deadliest Animals In United States In fact, Children's Hospital Boston states that less than three people die from spider bites each year.Children's Hospital Boston: Spider Bites Despite spider bites rarely being deadly, they can be medically serious. That is why you need to know what to do when you think you have been bitten by a spider.
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Is it a Spider Bite?
(Creative Commons photo by Richard Moross)- In a national study, only 20% of suspected spider bites were actually caused by a spider.Ohio State University: Spider Bites Unfortunately, unless you saw the spider or are able to catch it, it can be almost impossible to know for sure if you were bitten by a spider. Look at the wound. Do you see two tiny puncture holes close together?Ohio State University: What to do if You Suspect a Spider Bite If so, you were probably bitten by a spider.
- If possible, try to find and catch the spider that bit you. Place it in a sealed container and take it with you to the emergency room. Do not touch it with your bare hands. However, do not delay seeking medical treatment to catch the spider if you start to show symptoms.
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Is the Spider Poisonous?
(Creative Commons photo by Paul Sapiano)- While over 30,000 species of spiders exist in the United States, the American Academy of Family Physicians notes that only two types pose a significant medical threat: the brown recluse and the black widow.American Academy of Family Physicians: Common Spider Bites While these two spiders vary considerably, you should seek medical treatment if you suspect you have been bitten by one.
- A few other spiders are considered "medically significant" but not considered overly dangerous, according to Children's Hospital Boston. They include the orb weaver, garden spider, trap door spider, gnaphosid spider (mouse spider), parson spider, huntsman spider, running spider, wolf spider, crab spider, orb weaver (barn spider), green lynx spider, jumping spider, false black widow spider and trap door spider.Children's Hospital Boston: Spider Bites These spiders can leave a painful bite and cause some illnesses, especially in children and older people, but are not as severe as the black widow and the brown recluse. In most cases, medical treatment is not necessary.
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Black Widow Spiders
- The "black widow spider" is not one species but several species of spider found in the United States.
- Black widow spiders are most commonly recognized by the red or orange hourglass shape on their abdomen. However, the marking does not always have a clearly defined hourglass shape; sometimes it appears only as a dot.Fumapest Group: USA Spider Identification Chart
- Black widow spiders are not always black, either. Sometimes they are dark gray.
- Black widows are small, about 1/2-inch long.
- Their bite contains neurotoxic venom.eMedicine: Black Widow Spider Bite
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Brown Recluse Spiders
- Brown recluse spiders are also known as the fiddleback spider, brown fiddler or violin spider.
- Brown recluse spiders are found in the southern two-thirds and eastern three-fourths of the United States.Wikipedia: Australasian Funnel-Web Spider
- They are approximately 1/2-inch long.
- They usually, but not always, have a shape on their back that looks like a violin.
- The symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite usually appear slower than that of a black widow, but usually appear within four hours.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/spider_bite_brown_recluse_spider_bite/article_em.htm
- Symptoms of a brown recluse bite include: burning, pain, itching or redness around the bite, headaches, body aches, muscle pain, rash, fever, nausea, vomiting, blistering which may turn black, and a deep blue or purple color near the bite area.
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Treating Poisonous Spider Bites
(Creative Commons photo by Ben Collins)- Although the symptoms of the brown recluse and black widow spiders are different, the initial treatment will be the same.KidsHealth.org: Spider Bites The University of Maryland Medical Center advises you to:University of Maryland Medical Center: First Aid
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply ice or a cold washcloth to the area.
- Apply an antibiotic lotion or cream.
- Give acetaminophen, if necessary for pain.
- For brown recluse bites, elevate the site of the bite if possible.
- Seek immediate emergency treatment.
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Medical Treatments
- The University of Maryland Medical Center notes you should seek medical care. At the hospital or doctor's office, the bite will be evaluated to see if additional medical treatment is necessary.
- For black widow bites, antivenin may be administered.
- For brown recluse bites, treatment can include corticosteroids or surgery of the bite area.University of Maryland Medical Center: First Aid
- In both cases, hospitalization may be necessary.
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Treating Nonpoisonous Spider Bites
(Creative Commons photo by Felix Francis)- How your body reacts to the bite can be an indication of what type of spider it was. Nonpoisonous spider bites typically show swelling, redness, pain and itching. In these cases, you can treat the bite the same way you would treat any other insect bite.KidsHealth.org: Spider Bites KidsHealth.org's instructions say to:
- Clean the wound.
- Apply ice or a cold washcloth.
- Apply calamine lotion, baking soda paste or over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment.
- Make sure your tetanus shot is current.
- According to WebMD, one of the biggest risks of spider bites can be anaphylactic shock. Symptoms usually begin with breathing difficulties, abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Swelling of the lips, tongue, ears, eyelids, palms of the hands and soles of the feet may also occur.WebMD: Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites If any of these symptoms occur, call 911 immediately.
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Conclusion
- While a fear of spiders might seem irrational, a fear of spider bites is not. Properly treating the bite and seeking medical attention when necessary is essential to avoid permanent physical damage. Only in the movies will a spider bite do you any good. Luckily, spiders rarely bite unless threatened and are usually more afraid of you than you are of them.
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