Ethan Rhodes
Spider bites are rare, and most are harmless, causing only mild irritation that goes away within a few days. However, bites from black widow and brown recluse spiders are more serious and may require medical attention. If you've been bitten by a spider, the first step is to wash the area with mild soap and water, then apply ice wrapped in a cloth to reduce swelling. If you suspect a black widow or brown recluse bite, seek immediate medical care. At the hospital, doctors will assess your symptoms and may administer antivenom medication through a vein (intravenously) to counteract the venom. They may also provide breathing support, intravenous (IV) fluids, or medications to manage other symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms, and allergic reactions.
How they treat spider bites at the hospital
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First aid treatment | Clean the wound with mild soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment 3 times a day to prevent infection. Apply a cool compress over the bite for 15 minutes each hour. Use a clean cloth dampened with water or filled with ice. Elevate the affected area. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. Observe the bite for signs of worsening or infection. |
| Treatment for pain and muscle spasms | Doctors may prescribe pain medicine, muscle relaxants or both. |
| Treatment for infection | Doctors may prescribe antibiotics. |
| Treatment for black widow spider bites | Doctors may administer antivenom intravenously. Intravenous administration of benzodiazepines or cyclobenzaprine may be used to treat muscle cramps and pain. Opioids may be used in the short term. |
| Treatment for brown recluse spider bites | There is no antivenom for brown recluse spider bites. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics. In some cases, surgery may be required. |
| Treatment for tarantula spider bites | Tarantula bites are not venomous unless you are allergic to them. If you are bitten by a tarantula, follow first-aid guidelines and see a doctor. |
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What You'll Learn
Doctors may administer antivenom for black widow bites
Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans) are found throughout the US. While spider bites are uncommon, black widow bites pose a significant health problem, with over 2500 reported cases to American poison control centers annually. Their bites cause severe pain, muscle cramping, abdominal pain, and back pain. The significant pain associated with envenomation is often unresponsive to traditional analgesics.
In the case of severe pain or life-threatening symptoms from a black widow bite, doctors may recommend antivenom, which is usually administered through a vein (intravenously). Antivenom is a medicine that counteracts the venom, also known as antivenin. Antivenom can cause serious allergic reactions and must be used with caution. Symptoms usually ease within about 30 minutes of receiving the antivenom.
Antivenin Latrodectus mactans is the only antivenom currently available in the US for treating black widow spider bites. Its use is a subject of debate within the toxicology community due to a reported case of a fatal hypersensitivity reaction. However, there are also reported cases of its safe and effective use.
In one case, a 3-year-old boy arrived in the Emergency Department (ED) 1.5 hours after suffering a black widow spider bite to the top of his right foot. He was treated with Antivenin Latrodectus mactans, and within 15 minutes of the completion of the 30-minute infusion, he began experiencing relief.
In summary, doctors may administer antivenom for black widow bites, especially in cases of severe pain or life-threatening symptoms. Antivenom is typically given intravenously, and while it can cause allergic reactions, it is often effective in easing symptoms within 30 minutes of administration.
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There is no antivenom for brown recluse spider bites
While most spider bites cause mild, treatable symptoms, bites from brown recluse spiders are an exception. Brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles reclusa) are one of the two types of spiders in the United States that inject venom dangerous to humans. They are also the most common brown spider in the country. Their bites can cause a painful sore at the site of the bite and even more severe symptoms in some people.
There is currently no antivenom for brown recluse spider bites. In the rare case of serious complications from a brown recluse bite, such as blood disorders, kidney failure, coma, or death, medical professionals will treat the symptoms as they arise. For example, a patient may receive breathing support, intravenous (IV) fluids, or medications to manage other symptoms.
In less severe cases, brown recluse spider bites usually heal on their own without therapy. Doctors may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, or antihistamines to reduce pain and itching. If the wound does not heal, surgery may be necessary.
To prevent a brown recluse spider bite, it is important to know what these spiders look like and where they hang out. They are light brown with a violin-shaped mark behind their eyes and six eyes in total. They prefer warm climates and are found in the central and southern United States. They like to hide in dark, sheltered areas, such as piles of wood, leaves, or rocks, and may also be found inside homes, under porches, or in shoes or clothing left on the floor.
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Breathing support, IV fluids, and medication may be given
Spider bites are usually harmless and often rare, but bites from certain spiders like the black widow and brown recluse spiders can be dangerous and may require immediate medical attention. If you suspect a bite from a venomous spider, it is important to seek emergency treatment.
Hospital treatments for spider bites may include breathing support, IV fluids, and medication. Breathing support is crucial for patients experiencing trouble breathing, which is a symptom of severe spider bites. This difficulty in breathing can be accompanied by heart palpitations, a racing pulse, nausea and vomiting. Healthcare providers will prioritize stabilizing the patient's breathing and heart rate to prevent further deterioration.
Intravenous (IV) fluids are often administered to replenish fluids and support the body's functions. This is especially important as the patient may be experiencing fluid loss due to vomiting or other symptoms. Additionally, IV fluids can help dilute the venom and reduce its concentration in the body, aiding in the patient's recovery.
Medications are a crucial aspect of treating spider bites in a hospital setting. Antivenom or antivenin, which is a medicine to counteract the venom, may be given intravenously. This treatment is effective for black widow spider bites, but it is important to note that there is currently no antivenom available for brown recluse spider bites. Other medications may be administered to manage specific symptoms. For instance, patients may be prescribed pain medicine, muscle relaxants, or opioids for severe muscle pain and cramps caused by the bite. Antibiotics may also be prescribed if the bite becomes infected or develops into an open wound.
The treatment for spider bites in a hospital setting is tailored to the patient's symptoms and the type of spider involved. While most spider bites are mild and can be treated at home, it is important to seek medical attention for severe or persistent symptoms, especially those indicating a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.
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Surgery may be required for skin ulcers from brown recluse bites
While most spider bites heal on their own within a week, bites from brown recluse spiders are more serious and may require medical attention. Brown recluse spiders are one of the few spider species that inject venom dangerous to humans, which can induce dysregulated endothelial cell-dependent neutrophil activation. This can lead to necrotic lesions, systemic reactions, and even hemolytic anemia.
In some cases, brown recluse spider bites can cause skin ulcers (open wounds) that may not heal on their own. If a wound does not heal, surgery may be required. A prospective study on 31 patients with brown recluse spider bites found that immediate surgical excision was sometimes necessary, but it also resulted in common complications such as delayed wound healing and objectionable scarring. Pretreatment with the leukocyte inhibitor dapsone, followed by delayed surgical excision, was found to reduce the incidence of wound complications and objectionable scarring, while also reducing the need for surgical excision.
Another technique for treating brown recluse spider bites is curettage, which involves curetting the subcutaneous tissue in the necrotic area of the lesion to prevent the local destructive actions of the toxin. This can be performed as an outpatient procedure and controls symptoms while preventing further necrosis, resulting in excellent cosmetic outcomes.
If you suspect you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, it is important to seek medical attention. Your doctor will likely ask about your history and symptoms, and may request a photo or the spider itself for identification. Treatment options may include breathing support, intravenous (IV) fluids, medications to manage symptoms, and surgery if necessary.
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Mild symptoms may require over-the-counter medications
Most spider bites cause only mild symptoms and rarely cause serious problems. Bites from spiders such as yellow sac spiders, hobo spiders, and wolf spiders may cause pain, redness, and itching around the area, but they are unlikely to cause complications. These mild symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medications.
If you experience redness, swelling, and pain in the bite area, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. For itchy bites, an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or certirizine (Zyrtec) may help. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments may also help prevent and treat infected bites. Be sure to follow the directions on the medication's packaging and cover the bite with a bandage after applying the ointment.
It is important to keep the bitten area clean and observe it for signs of worsening or infection. If the bite develops into an open wound or becomes infected, you may need to see a doctor for antibiotics.
While bites from black widow and brown recluse spiders are more serious and may require medical care, even in these cases, many people do not experience significant reactions. However, it is important to watch out for warning signs such as trouble breathing, severe headaches, and painful muscle cramps, which require immediate medical attention.
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Frequently asked questions
If you think you've been bitten by a spider, try to capture it safely and take a photo of it. Then, call your doctor or go to an urgent care center. Wash the bite area with warm, soapy water, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Black widow spider bites are very serious and can cause breathing problems, heart issues, high blood pressure, and severe muscle pain. If you've been bitten by a black widow spider, seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor may administer antivenom through your vein, and other medications to manage symptoms.
Brown recluse spider bites can be dangerous, especially in children, older adults, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. If the bite causes an ulcer or blister, you may need surgery to treat it. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the bite becomes infected. Unfortunately, there is no antivenom available for brown recluse spider bites in the US.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to a spider bite include itching, redness, swelling, and pain in the bite area. In rare cases, you may experience anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency. If you suspect an allergic reaction to a spider bite, seek immediate medical attention.
