Definition

• Bite from a spider

Symptoms

• Bite symptoms include redness, pain, swelling
• Helpful if spider seen on the skin or around the child

Types of Spider Bites

Black Widow Spider Bite

• A shiny, jet-black spider with long legs (total size 1 inch or 25 mm).
• A red (or orange) hourglass-shaped marking on its under-side.
• Causes immediate local pain and swelling.
• Sometimes, you can see 2 fang marks at the bite site.
• Severe muscle cramps (especially stomach cramps) occur within 1 to 6 hours. These last 24 to 48 hours.
• Rarely causes death. (EXCEPTION: bitten by several spiders or small child is bitten)
• Note: Many are dry bites because the fangs are small.
• The brown widow spider is related to the black widow. It is found in southern US.
• Brown widow spider bites are treated the same as black widow bites.

Brown Recluse Spider Bite

• A brown spider with long legs (total size 1/2 inch or 12 mm).
• A dark violin shaped marking on top of its head.
• Causes pain at the bite. Blisters form within 4 to 8 hours.
• The center becomes bluish and depressed (crater-like) over 2 to 3 days.
• Skin damage may require skin grafting in 10% of cases.
• Other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, muscle pain can occur. No life-threatening symptoms occur.
• Brown recluse spiders are hard to identify. If you can, bring the spider along in a jar.

Non-dangerous Spider Bites

• More than 50 spiders in the U.S. have venom. Their bites can cause nonserious reactions. This includes pain or redness at the bite site.
• The bites are painful and swollen. This lasts for 1 or 2 days. They can feel and look like a bee sting.
• Some single, unexplained, tender bites that occur during the night are due to spiders.

FIRST AID Advice for Shock: Lie down with feet elevated.

FIRST AID Advice for Spider Bite (localized symptoms only):

• Wash bite wound with soap and water.
• Use a cold pack to the bite for 10-20 minutes.

FIRST AID Advice for Black Widow Spider Bite:

• Wash bite wound with soap and water.
• Use a cold pack to the bite for 10-20 minutes.
• If possible, capture the spider and place it in a jar (for spider identification).
• Do not use heat. Reason: It may increase the pain.
• Do not use a tourniquet or pressure bandage. Reason: There is no evidence that this helps.

FIRST AID Advice for Brown Recluse Spider Bite:

• Wash bite wound with soap and water.
• Apply a cold pack to the bite for 10-20 minutes.
• If possible, capture the spider and place it in a jar (for spider identification).

CARE ADVICE FOR NON-DANGEROUS SPIDER BITES

And remember, contact us if your child develops any of the "Call Us" symptoms.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Copyright 1994-2013 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.