The bite of the spider

Description

Spider bites are usually harmless, and spiders will not bite unless threatened.

Spider bites can cause redness, pain and swelling, or you may not be aware of them at all. Many other insect bites and sores on the skin can cause redness, pain and swelling. So unless you actually saw a spider bite, it is difficult to be sure that your wound was caused by a spider.

In all the world, only a few species of spiders have fangs long enough to penetrate human skin and venom strong enough to hurt humans. Among these are widow spiders, with about 30 species, and recluse spiders, with more than 140 species from all over the world.

Symptoms

Typically, a spider bite looks like any other insect — red, inflamed, sometimes itchy or painful lump on the skin and can even go unnoticed. Harmless spider bites usually do not produce any other symptoms.

Many sores on the skin look the same but have other causes, such as a bacterial infection.

The bites of some spiders, such as widow spiders and recluse spiders, could cause serious signs and symptoms.

The sting of the widow spider

The signs and symptoms of a widow spider bite may include:

  • Redness, pain and swelling. You may have pain and swelling around the bite, which may extend into the abdomen, the back or the chest.
  • The cramps. You could have severe abdominal rigidity or cramps, that is sometimes mistaken for appendicitis or a ruptured appendix.
  • Nausea, vomiting, tremors or shaking, or sweating. You may experience nausea, vomiting, trembling, or sweating alone or in combination.

The symptoms can last from 1 to 3 days.

The bite of the recluse spider

The signs and symptoms of a bite of a recluse spider may include:

  • Increasing pain during the first eight hours after the bite
  • Fever, chills, and pains in the body
  • An area of the bite with a pale centre which turns dark blue or purple with a red ring around it
  • A bite that grows and becomes an open sore (ulcer) on the skin around to die

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention right away if:

  • You were bitten by a dangerous spider, such as a widow or recluse.
  • You are unsure whether the bite was from a dangerous spider.
  • You have severe pain, abdominal cramps, or a culture of the wound at the site of the bite.
  • You are having trouble breathing or swallowing.
  • The area of the ulcer, redness or red streaks.

Causes

Serious spider bite symptoms occur as a result of the venom the spider injects. The severity of the symptoms depends on the type of spider, the amount of venom injected and the sensitivity of your body is the poison.

Risk factors

The risk factors of spider bites include living in areas where the spiders live in and disturb their natural habitat. Widow spiders and recluse spiders as climates warm, dark, dry places.

The widow spider habitat

Widow spiders can be found throughout the united States, except Alaska, and are more common in rural areas of the South. It is also found in Europe. They are more active in the warmer months and prefer to live in:

  • Sheds
  • Garages
  • Without using pots and garden equipment
  • The stack of wood
  • Closets and cabinets during the cold weather

The recluse spider habitat

Recluse spiders are most commonly found in the southern half of the united States and in South America, where they are known as spiders brown. These spiders are so called because they like to hide in undisturbed areas. They are more active in the warmer months. On the inside, they prefer to live:

  • In cluttered basements and attics
  • Behind the shelves and shop windows
  • In rarely used closets

Sometimes mixed in bedding and clothing, causing many bites occur early in the morning.

Outside, they look for a dry, dark, quiet places, such as under rocks or tree stumps.

Complications

Rarely, a bite of a spider widow or recluse spider is deadly, especially in young children.

A serious injury of a recluse spider can take weeks or months to heal, and leaves large scars.

Prevention

Spiders only bite in defense, when you are trapped between your skin and the other object.

To prevent spider bites:

  • Learn what dangerous spiders and their preferred habitats.
  • Use a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, long pants tucked into socks, gloves, and boots when handling boxes of wood or and when the cleaning of sheds, garages, basements, attics and crawl spaces.
  • Review and shake up the gardening gloves, boots and clothing before using it.
  • The use of insect repellents, such as DEET. Carefully follow the instructions on the package.
  • Keep insects and spiders out of the house well adjusted by installing screens on windows and doors, sealing cracks where spiders can enter, and use safe indoor insecticide.
  • Reduce waste or eliminate piles of stones or wood in the area around your house, and prevent the storage of the wood against the walls of your home.
  • Make sure that the beds aren't pushed him against the wall and only the legs of the bed, touches the ground. Don't store items under the bed, and not to leave that bed linen drag on the floor.
  • Remove spiders and cobwebs of your home.
  • If a spider on the skin, slide with your finger instead of flattening it against his skin.
  • When the cleaning of the tarantula enclosures, with gloves, mask and eye protection.

The bite of the spider

Diagnosis

Spider bites can be confused with other skin lesions that are red in colour, pain or swelling. Many cutaneous ulcers attributed to spider bites have been caused by the bites of other insects, such as ants, fleas, mites, mosquitoes and biting flies. Skin infections and other skin conditions, including burns, can be confused with spider bites.

It is likely that your doctor diagnose a spider bite based on your history and your signs and symptoms. The process can involve the determination of whether someone saw a spider bite that, having an expert to identify the spider, and rule out other possible causes of the signs and symptoms.

The black widow id

Some clues to the identification of black widow spiders are:

  • Shiny black body, with long legs
  • Red hourglass shape on the belly
  • The length of the whole body, including the legs, around 1 inch (2.5 cm) across

The brown recluse identification

Some clues to the identification of brown recluse spiders include:

  • Golden or dark brown body, with long legs
  • Dark violin shape on the top of the leg attachment segment
  • Six eyes — one pair in front and a pair on both sides — instead of the usual spider pattern of eight eyes in two rows of four
  • The Central body is about 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) via

Treatment

Most of the spider bites usually heal on their own in about a week. A bite of the recluse spider takes longer to heal and sometimes they leave a scar.

The treatment of first aid for spider bites includes the following steps:

  • Clean the wound with mild soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment three times per day to help prevent infection.
  • Apply a cold compress on the bite for 15 minutes each time. Use a clean cloth dampened with water or filled with ice. This helps to reduce the pain and swelling.
  • If possible, elevate the affected area.
  • Take over the counter medications to relieve the pain as needed.
  • If the affected area is itching, antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or certirizine (Zyrtec), could be of help.
  • Observe the bite for signs of deterioration or infection. You may need antibiotics if the bite is developed in an open wound, or infected.

For the pain and muscle spasms, your doctor may prescribe pain medication, muscle relaxers, or both. You may also need a tetanus shot.

The black widow antivenom

If the bite of a black widow, causing severe pain or life-threatening symptoms, your doctor may recommend antivenom, which is usually given through a vein (intravenously). The symptoms usually ease within 30 minutes of receiving the antivenom. Antivenom may cause serious allergic reactions, so it should be used with caution.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have been bitten by a spider that is suspected to be dangerous, call your primary care physician or go to an urgent care center. If your doctor has online services, can be one option of sending by e-mail a photo of the spider with your doctor.

What you can do

To help your doctor understand your symptoms and how they may relate to a spider bite:

  • Bring the spider or a photo of the spider with you, if you can safely do so
  • List of the symptoms that you are experiencing
  • List of questions to ask your doctor

Some basic questions you might want to ask include:

  • Is this a dangerous spider bite?
  • If this is not a spider bite, what are the possible causes of the symptoms?
  • Do I need any tests?
  • How long will my symptoms last?
  • What is the best course of action?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

  • When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
  • What were you doing in the hours before their symptoms began?
  • The symptoms got worse?
  • Does anything relieve your symptoms or worse?
Symptoms and treatment of Spider bites