A myth that many people still believe is that spiders bite while people are sleeping. It’s commonly thought that if one experiences a skin irritation or rash, it’s probably from a spider… even if the spider was never seen. People should be relieved to learn that spiders rarely bite. In fact, most spiders aren’t even big enough to do any harm. Even still, occasionally a person might accidentally touch a spider in a threatening way causing it to react to protect itself. While most spiders’ bites are harmless, it’s important to know what to do.
Types of Spiders That Bite
Spiders have the potential to bite but many have fangs that are just too small to pierce the skin of humans. Even if they were able to bite, their venom isn’t strong enough to do harm, except in the case of someone being allergic. Bites by the following spiders are commonly reported to cause moderate to severe reactions:
- Brown recluse spider (or violin spider)
- Black widow spider
Identifying a Spider Bite
It can be difficult to identify a spider bite. Studies have shown that many reports of spider bites were actually due to bites from other insects, fleas or ticks, and skin infections. If a spider is seen biting or someone suspects they have been bitten by one, the following signs and symptoms may be present:
Brown Recluse Spider Bite
- Mild stinging, initially
- Intense pain and redness (within 8 hours)
- Purple or dark blue coloring
- Red ring around bite
- Deep, open sore or ulcer
- Necrosis (dying tissue)
Black Widow Spider Bite
- Barely noticeable pin prick, initially
- Faint red marks and slight swelling
- Intensified pain and stiffness (within an hour)
- Severe pain and cramps in abdomen
- Profuse sweating
How to Care for a Spider Bite
Bites from harmless spiders typically don’t produce any symptoms or may just appear as a small red or itchy bump that requires no special treatment. If a person suspects they have been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse, or they are suffering from severe pain and other symptoms, they should seek medical attention right away.
To properly care for a spider bite and provide information necessary to medical professionals, follow test steps:
- Wash bite area with soap and water
- Control swelling by applying ice packs and taking antihistamines
- If arm or leg has been bitten, keep it elevated
- Use over-the-counter medications to reduce pain
- Bring photo or specimen of spider for identification, if possible
- Make a note of all symptoms experienced
- Keep a list of questions to ask the nurse and doctor
Spiders, while relatively harmless, have been known to bite from time to time. In general, they do so only when trapped. Even though many spider bites have been misdiagnosed, it’s helpful to understand what to do and when to seek medical care.