how to identify a spider bite

Identifying Common Spider Bites

1. Look for a two-fanged puncture wound. ... Although it may be painless, usually a black widow bite is at least...
2. Look for a "bull's eye" bite wound. ... Medical attention is usually only needed if an ulcer forms and lasts for...
3. Watch for needle-like hairs in your skin. ... However, these "New World" tarantulas do throw or...

Full Answer

Symptoms

• There are more than 40,000 different types of spiders in the world.
• Itching, redness, and swelling are among the most common signs of a spider bite.
• Spider bites should be cleaned with warm water and mild soap promptly to avoid infection.
• In the case you've been bitten by a poisonous spider, visit the doctor immediately.

Causes

• Loss of consciousness
• Trouble breathing
• Rapid swelling of the lips, throat, tongue or eye area
• Hoarseness or wheezing
• Severe itching, cramping, and/or numbness
• Disorientation
• Dizziness
• Hives or a reddish rash
• Stomach cramps

Prevention

Symptoms

• Widow spider bites. Redness, pain and swelling. You might have pain and swelling around the bite, which can spread into your abdomen, back or chest.
• Recluse spider bites
• When to see a doctor. You were bitten by a dangerous spider, such as a widow or recluse. You're unsure whether the bite was from a dangerous spider.

Complications

how do I know if a spider bite is serious? You might have stomach cramps, and your belly might feel a little stiff. You may also sweat a lot. In serious cases, you can have trouble breathing, along with a fast heart rate, nausea, and vomiting. The area around the bite may continue to get redder and more swollen.. What does a spider bite look like?

What to do if you suspect a spider bite?

How do you know when a spider bite is serious?

What is the most dangerous spider bite?

How do I know if a spider bite is serious?

See more

What does the spider bite look like?

Typically, a spider bite looks like any other bug bite — a red, inflamed, sometimes itchy or painful bump on your skin — and may even go unnoticed. Harmless spider bites usually don't produce any other symptoms. Many skin sores look the same but have other causes, such as a bacterial infection.

How do you know if you were bitten by a spider?

Here are the 10 signs of a spider bite.You have pain near the bite. ... You can't stop sweating. ... You can't stop itching a certain area of your body. ... A rash starts to develop. ... You feel hot or have the chills. ... You are experiencing swelling. ... You develop a blister. ... Your muscles feel achy and are cramping.More items...•

How do you tell if you were bitten by a poisonous spider?

SymptomsItching or rash.Pain radiating from the site of the bite.Muscle pain or cramping.Reddish to purplish color or blister.Increased sweating.Difficulty breathing.Headache.Nausea and vomiting.More items...

When should I worry about a spider bite?

Seek medical attention for a spider bite if there is a worsening local reaction for more than 24 hours, redness spreading away from the bite, drainage from the bite, increased pain, numbness/tingling, a halo or bull's eye discoloration around the bite, or an allergic reaction (rare).

Does a spider bite look like a pimple?

Most typically, though, a bite from the spider looks like a pimple or a small white blister and heals on its own over a month or two.

How long after a spider bite do symptoms occur?

In 8 hours, it'll become hardened and swollen. After 24 to 26 hours, the wound may discharge fluids and eventually turn black. Other signs and symptoms may include: a red or purple blister at the puncture site.

What are the signs of a brown recluse spider bite?

Symptoms of a Brown Recluse Bite Pain or redness at the site of the bite. A deep sore (ulcer) that forms where you were bitten, with the skin at the center turning purple. Fever. Chills.

What does a brown recluse bite look like?

Initially the bite site is mildly red and upon close inspection may reveal fang marks. Within a few hours, the redness gives way to pallor with a red ring surrounding the area, or a "bull's-eye" appearance. The lesion will often appear to flow downhill over the course of many hours.

What do I put on a spider bite?

Clean the wound with mild soap and water. Then apply an antibiotic ointment three times a day to help 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.

Do house spiders bite?

House spiders rarely bite unless they feel threatened. However, spiders may defend themselves when crushed in shoes or clothing being put on by a human.

Common Spider Bite Symptoms

Common spider bite symptoms may include small, itchy, and sometimes red, irritated skin that will clear up in a few days. However there are two spe...

Brown Recluse Spider Bite Symptoms

The brown recluse spider is usually found in warm, dry climates. Nicknamed the violin spider because of the violin shaped splotch on its upper back...

Black Widow Spider Bite Symptoms

Shiny and black with a noticeable reddish hour-glass mark on its belly, black widow spiders are poisonous to humans. Found mostly in warm southern...

Common Spider Bite Treatment

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a brown recluse spider or a black widow spider, you should: 1. Use antibacterial soap and water to clean t...

Spider Bite Treatment at Home

In many cases, you can use home remedies for spider bites. Most spider bites require medical attention only if symptoms appear to be life threateni...

What are the symptoms of a spider bite?

Other possible symptoms that may accompany a spider bite include: itching or rash. pain around the area of the bite. muscle pain or cramping. blister that’s red or purple in color. sweating. difficulty breathing. headache. nausea and vomiting.

How long after a spider bite can you tell if you have a bite?

Identifying a spider bite is easier if you saw the spider that bit you, but it’s possible that you won’t notice the wound until hours later.

What to do if you have a spider bite?

Call 911 if you or someone you know is showing signs of full-body shock or having trouble breathing. Always seek medical attention if you suspect you’re feeling symptoms from a spider bite or if the symptoms don’t go away over time.

How long does it take for a spider bite to heal?

Their bites may leave itchy, red wounds that heal within a week or so. The spiders that do manage to bite through our skin and insert toxic venom can cause serious health complications. Read on to learn: what spider bites look like. what spider varieties leave certain bites. how to treat spider bites.

Why is it important to keep spider bites clean?

Spider bites often take longer to heal than other insect bites, and they may affect skin tissues. It’s important to keep the bite clean to reduce the risk of infection.

How to get rid of spider bites?

Take an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine ( Benadryl ), to help with itching. Clean the area with soap and water to prevent infection. Apply antibiotic ointment to the area if blisters develop. Seek medical attention if you’re showing symptoms of a spider bite or if the symptoms don’t go away over time.

What happens if you bite a wandering spider?

The bite of a Brazilian wandering spider is extremely painful. It can quickly result in heavy sweating and drooling. The skin around the bite will usually swell, turn red, and get hot. In severe cases, the bite can result in dead tissue or death. Seek emergency treatment immediately.

Some Spider Facts

It can be discerning when you get a spider bite, and we’ll get to treating them, but first, here are some facts.

How to Identify a Spider Bite

Now comes the point where we discuss how you can tell a spider bite from other insect bites. First, the typical spider bite usually only takes one bite and calls it a day. That bite will have only two puncture marks. Therefore, if it looks like you got cut up or you have multiple wounds, the likelihood is that it may be your cat or something else.

Some Helpful Tips on Dealing with Spiders

Prevention – Unfortunately, you can’t prevent spiders from living around your home. Proper house cleaning practices can reduce their population in addition to a professional pest control service.

How do you know if you have a spider bite?

Common Spider Bite Symptoms. Common spider bite symptoms may include small, itchy, and sometimes red, irritated skin that will clear up in a few days. However there are two specific spiders in the United States – the brown recluse and the black widow – that can cause serious ailments, and even be deadly.

How do you know if a black widow spider bite is a pinprick?

Black widow spider bites usually feel like a pinprick, but may feel like nothing at all. The bite can be identified by: Immediate swelling or redness at the site. Two puncture marks on the skin from the spider’s fangs. Black widow spider venom is toxic and can cause damage to the nervous system.

What to do if you have a black widow spider bite?

Black widow spider bites require immediate medical attention. If you think you have a black widow spider bite and are having trouble breathing or experiencing full-body symptoms, such as shock, call 911. You may need medical transport, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

How to get rid of black widow spider venom?

Antivenin works to remove black widow spider venom from your body. Often, even with narcotics, you may not find relief from your symptoms for quite some time. If you think you’ve been bitten by a black widow spider, contact the Pittsburgh Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

What happens if you bite a brown recluse?

The venom can damage tissue surrounding the bite and may cause complications, such as: Scarring. Tissue death. First aid treatment for brown recluse spider bites should focus on keeping the affected area clean and protected. If blistering or a bulls eye-shaped wound develops, visit an urgent care facility immediately.

What to do if you get bit by a brown recluse spider?

Your doctor will examine the brown recluse spider bite and prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. In extreme cases, such as in cases of tissue death, surgery and hospitalization may be required. If you think you’ve been bitten by a brown recluse spider, contact the Pittsburgh Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

What to do if you get bit by a spider?

If you’ve been bitten, visit an emergency department at your local hospital to seek treatment for your spider bite. On the way, ice the affected area to treat symptoms like swelling and pain. In many cases, your emergency care team may recommend a combination of narcotics and antivenin for pain and symptom relief.

How to prevent spider bites?

How to Prevent a Spider Bite. If you’re poking around in woodpiles, sheds, attics, and other areas, wear long sleeves and a hat, and tuck your pants into your socks. Make sure to shake out work gloves, boots, and clothes you haven’t used in a while, because spiders can hide in them, too.

What Do Bites Look Like?

They’re pretty much just like an insect bite. For the most part, you can’t tell a spider bit you just from your symptoms. You’ll get a little bump on your skin. It might get red, itchy, and swell up a bit. It might hurt, but no more than a bee sting and usually not for more than an hour or so. That’s basically it -- unless you're bitten by a venomous spider.

How long does it take for a spider bite to get worse?

You also should see your doctor if you have an open sore or a bullseye mark, or if the bite gets worse after 24 hours. Look out for things like pain around the bite getting worse, redness that’s spreading, and fluid coming from the bite. If you can do it safely, take the spider with you, even if it’s dead.

How long does it take for a bug bite to get bigger?

Sometimes, the skin in the middle of the bite can turn blue or purple, and you may have an open sore that gets bigger for up to 10 days. It doesn’t happen often, but some people also have other symptoms like fever, chills, rash, and an upset stomach. Swipe to advance.

How do you know if you have a pinprick bite?

The bite feels like a pinprick, so you may not notice it . The first signs might be small, red marks with some swelling. Within an hour, it’ll hurt a little more, and the pain might spread to your back, belly, and chest. You might have stomach cramps, and your belly might feel a little stiff. You may also sweat a lot.

How to get rid of spider bites on black widow?

The first steps are the same for all spider bites, even those from a black widow or brown recluse. Clean the area with soap and water and put on some antibiotic cream. Then take a cloth and wet it with cold water or wrap it around some ice and put that on the bite.

How to treat a black widow spider bite?

The first steps are the same for all spider bites, even those from a black widow or brown recluse. Clean the area with soap and water and put on some antibiotic cream. Then take a cloth and wet it with cold water or wrap it around some ice and put that on the bite. If you were bitten on your arm or leg, raise it up. You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and an antihistamine for swelling.

What is a spider bite?

In fact, the vast majority of "spider bites" are actually bites from other insects like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes; are a rash from an allergic reaction; or are skin abscesses from an infection, says Justin Arnold, DO, assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the associate medical director of the Alabama Regional Poison Control Center at Children’s of Alabama.

What happens when you bite a spider?

When a spider bite turns into cellulitis—a common (although painful) skin infection—a rash begins to spread around the wound, and the skin becomes painful and hot to the touch. Another common reaction to many spider bites is to get "weeping" blisters at the site (they look puffy and fluid-filled).

How long does it take for a spider bite to heal?

And if you’re wondering how long spider bites take to heal? While certainly itchy and annoying, most bites heal up within a week (other than brown recluse and hobo spider bites, which can unfortunately take weeks or much longer to heal, depending on whether you develop an infection).

What is the most venomous spider in the world?

The brown recluse (also known as the fiddleback spider or violin spider) is one of the most venomous spiders in America, but they are limited to very specific geographic regions—if you don't live in one of these places, it's highly unlikely you need to worry about this type of bite, Vetter says. (Check out this map to see if you're in the danger zone.)

How to identify brown recluse?

To identify a brown recluse, look for six eyes arranged in pairs. (Although getting close enough to see the eye pattern on a spider sounds, frankly, terrifying.) Brown recluse bites do happen though, and when they do, they are often described by "sharp burning pain," Arnold explains.

How long does it take for a mosquito bite to become a blister?

If you do receive a venomous bite, within a few hours it will become red and hard, similar to a mosquito bite, and within a day or two will develop blisters. After the blisters open, a scab typically forms along with a rash that often looks like a target or bull's eye.

What are the markings on a black widow spider?

Black widow spiders are tough to identify, as well. Only female black widows have the characteristic red hourglass-shaped markings on their backs. Male and immature black widows have tan and white stripes, Vetter says.

What are the symptoms of a spider bite?

Children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems might have more severe reactions. The CDC lists possible symptoms of spider bites as: Itching or rash.

How to treat a spider bite?

Here are the steps to treating a spider bite at home: Clean the bite with mild soap and warm water. Apply ointment based moisturizer to damp skin and keep covered with a bandaid if possible. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen (so long as not contraindicated) if you have pain.

Why do spiders bite?

“In general, spiders will bite only if they can’t get away from you, or are protecting their babies and don’t want to leave the babies behind, and/or they are being crushed or otherwise hurt ,” says Sebastian Alejandro Echeverri, PhD, who studies spiders at the University of Pittsburgh. Even the black widow doesn’t bite as often as many people believe. A 2014 study published in Animal Behaviour tested various scenarios to find how often a black widow would bite. Even with continued poking, the black widow spiders either played dead or spit out silk instead of biting. Only one spider out of 43 actually bit the gelatin “fingers,” used for the tests. The biting increased to 60 percent only when the spider was pinched between two gelatin fingers for an extended period. Still, the fear of spiders is debilitating for some people.

How many eyes do jumping spiders have?

Found throughout the United States, the jumping spider’s vision is comparable to humans, Vetter says. They have eight eyes in three rows. The front row has four eyes with two larger eyes in the middle. People often mistake jumping spiders for black widow spiders because they both have compact black bodies with relatively short legs. Yet jumping spiders can also be brown, tan, or gray with colorful markings in yellow, red, blue, green, and white. As their name suggests, they jump (and climb) and can be found waiting for their prey (insects) high in tree trunks or low in window wells. They’re far more likely to be outside than inside.

What is the venom of a black widow spider?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the only two spiders in the United States considered venomous, are the black widow and brown recluse. The venom of the black widow contains a neurotoxin that can cause pain at the bite area that spreads to the chest, abdomen, or entire body. However, death occurs in less than one percent of black widow bites. The brown recluse venom has the potential to destroy skin and cause a severe lesion, for which medical attention may be necessary. Death is rare from a brown recluse bite and reported mainly in children.

What to do if you have a black widow bite?

A black widow bite can look like countless other insect and spider bites, but if you suspect or know you’ve been bitten by one, it’s best to get checked out , Dr. Zahn says. Children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems should see their doctor or head to the emergency department. If you have fevers, chills, muscle pain, aches, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms that affect your entire body, call your doctor. Make sure you’re up-to-date on your first aid knowledge.

How do you know if a black widow bit you?

You might not even notice when a black widow bites you, or it may just feel like a pinprick—that’s why it’s so challenging to know what bit you. “The bite will appear at first to be a small red bump with surrounding redness and swelling, almost like a hive ,” says dermatologist Joesph Zahn, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates. The initial pain of the bite occurs in just a few minutes and usually subsides within two to three days.” The symptoms may be more severe, depending on how an individual reacts to the venom. In extreme cases, he says, “latrotoxins, a type of neurotoxin in the venom, can cause serious pain and can lead to paralysis.” In addition, sometimes fatal heart damage has been reported, he notes. But he stresses that death due to a black widow spider bite is extremely rare.

How to help a doctor with a spider bite?

To help your doctor understand your symptoms and how they might relate to a spider bite, you can: Bring the spider or a photo of the spider with you. List any symptoms you're experiencing. List questions to ask your doctor. Some basic questions you might want to ask include:

What to do if you've been bitten by a spider?

If you've been bitten by a spider that you suspect is dangerous, call your primary care doctor or go to an urgent care center. If your doctor has online services, an option may be to email a photo of the spider to your doctor.

How long does it take for a spider bite to heal?

Most spider bites usually heal on their own in about a week. A bite from a recluse spider takes longer to heal and sometimes leaves a scar.

How many eyes does a spider have?

Six eyes — a pair in front and a pair on both sides — rather than the usual spider pattern of eight eyes in two rows of four. Central body is 0.25 to 0.75 inches (6 to 19 mm) long.

What spider has a red hourglass?

The black widow spider is known for the red hourglass marking on its belly.

What to do if you've been bitten by a black widow?

If you've been bitten by a spider that you suspect is a black widow or brown recluse, call your primary care doctor or go to an urgent care center. If your doctor has online services, an option may be to email a photo of the spider to your doctor.

Can you bring a spider with you?

Bring the spider or a photo of the spider with you, if you can do so safely

What is a spider bite?

Spider bites are slightly different than insect bites, and should be treated differently. Look out for one or two small, two-fanged puncture wounds (a sign of a black widow spider bite,) or a bite that turns blue or purple and begins to turn into a deep, open sore (a sign of a brown recluse bite.)

How to tell if you have a tick bite?

To identify insect bites, start by checking whether you have 1 small, itchy bump or a cluster of small, itchy bumps. A single bump that's itchy and red, for example, is most likely from a fly or mosquito. Small bumps that are grouped together may be flea bites, especially if they’re around your waist or other areas where clothes fit tightly to your body. If the bite is bright red, but painless, you may have been bit by a tick. See a doctor immediately if the bite turns into a rash in a bull’s eye pattern, since this is a common sign of Lyme disease. For more advice from our Medical reviewer, including tips for how to treat an insect bite, keep reading.

How to tell if you have flea bites or bedbug bites?

Flea bites are a number of small, itchy mounds grouped together. You will probably find them in areas where your clothes fit tightly to your body, such as around your waist. Bedbug bites will be itchy red bumps, maybe with a blister, grouped in rows of two or three. Look for swelling.

Why is my tummy red and itchy?

A single bump that's itchy and red, for example, is most likely from a fly or mosquito. Small bumps that are grouped together may be flea bites, especially if they’re around your waist or other areas where clothes fit tightly to your body. If the bite is bright red, but painless, you may have been bit by a tick.

What to do if you are allergic to a sting?

If you are allergic to insect bites or stings, you should wear a medical ID and have an emergency epinephrine (EpiPen) with you. Make sure your friends and family know how to use the EpiPen should you go into shock.

How to tell if you have a mosquito bite?

A single bite mark is probably from a mosquito or fly. You may notice a tiny bite mark in the center of the mound of a mosquito bite.

What causes red bumps on the papular urticaria?

Treat for papular urticaria. Crops of raised, itchy, red bumps may appear as a result of a hypersensitivity to insect bites. This usually occurs after bites with fleas, mosquitoes, and bedbugs. Treatment for urticaria include antihistamines and topical steroids. [22]