Finding a bite on your body can be itchy, painful, and scary. If you suspect a spider bit you, it’s wise to learn as much as possible about the effects, symptoms, and treatments.
Spider bites normally don’t pose a significant health risk to humans and can be treated with basic first aid. A spider bite should only worry you if it came from a known venomous spider, such as a brown recluse or black widow, or you experience an allergic reactions or other severe symptoms. When spiders bite humans, they often leave two puncture marks and a single red patch or bump. It’s not easy to identify which spider bit you without catching it.
If you want to read more about spider bites on humans, keep reading this article. See also my related article “Ant Bites On Humans – A Complete Guide“.
How Dangerous Are Spider Bites?
In the United States, there are more than 3,500 spider species, but the vast majority pose no significant threat to humans. Among them, only two species are of notable medical concern: the black widow and the brown recluse.
While most spiders possess the ability to bite, their fangs are generally too small or feeble to break human skin. Additionally, many spiders have toxins that are weak or designed specifically for their prey, making them unlikely to harm humans. If a bite does occur, it usually results in mildly irritating, red, and itchy wounds that typically heal within a week.
Nevertheless, certain spiders are capable of piercing human skin and delivering potent toxins. Although fatalities from their bites are uncommon, they can lead to health complications such as tissue necrosis and painful muscle spasms.
When to Worry About a Spider Bite
Seeking medical attention for a spider bite is generally unnecessary, as most spider bites cause only minor reactions that can be managed with basic first aid. However, there are specific situations when worrying is necessary, and you should get medical help.
In these critical situations, it’s best to visit an emergency room or an urgent care clinic immediately to receive appropriate treatment and prevent potential complications. For most other spider bites that cause mild reactions, simple at-home care, such as cleaning the wound, applying cold compresses, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers, should suffice.
If you’re worried about the severity of a spider bite, it doesn’t hurt to consult with a healthcare professional. Here’s when you should definitely seek medical treatment for a spider bite:
Black Widow or Brown Recluse Spider Bite
It’s crucial to seek immediate medical care if you suspect or know you’ve been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse spider. Both spider species can deliver potent venom that may lead to serious health complications.
If possible, try to capture the spider responsible for the bite in a container and bring it with you to the hospital. Identifying the spider can help medical professionals determine the appropriate treatment.
Allergic Reaction
If you experience an allergic reaction to a spider’s venom, regardless of the spider type, it’s considered a medical emergency. Symptoms of an allergic or severe reaction can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe swelling
- Itchiness at the bite site, throat, or eyes
- Elevated heart rate
- Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction affecting the entire body, requires immediate treatment
Symptoms Getting Worse
If the symptoms of the spider bite worsen over time, it may indicate that the bite was from a venomous spider or an infection has developed.
Symptoms such as fever, increasing pain around the bite after one to two days, an enlarged wound site, redness streaking from the bite, muscle cramps, blistering, or flu-like symptoms should prompt you to seek medical care.
How To Tell I Have A Spider Bite?
Spider bites vary widely in their presentation and severity, but not all bites cause an immediate reaction. If you suspect a spider bite, look for signs and symptoms that may develop later.
It’s important to note that spider bites often take longer to heal than other insect bites and may affect the surrounding skin tissues. Keeping the bite clean and applying basic first aid measures can help reduce the risk of infection and promote healing.
Here’s what to look for to tell you have a spider bite:
- Visible Marks: Spider bites may leave two puncture marks on the skin where the spider’s fangs broke through. These marks are not always easy to spot and may become more noticeable.
- Local Symptoms: Common local symptoms of a spider bite include swelling, redness, and a raised welt or bump at the bite site. Some may cause skin damage, leading to a red or purplish blister.
- A Single Bite: Spiders often bite as a last defense mechanism and only leave one wound. Other insects, such as bed bugs that also leave two puncture marks, often attack multiple times.
How Do I Know What Kind Of Spider Bite I Have?
The best way to know what type of spider bit you have is to capture the spider and identify it yourself or take it to an expert. On the other hand, if you can’t capture the offending arachnid, you might look for some signs that can help you to guess, including identifying the most common types of biting spiders in your area, found on the following chart:
| Spider | Geographic Distribution |
|---|---|
| Black Widow | Throughout North America, with higher concentrations in the southern and western regions. |
| Brown Recluse | Predominantly in the southern Midwest and parts of the South. |
| Hobo Spider | Primarily found in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. |
| Yellow Sac Spider | Commonly found throughout the United States, in both indoor and outdoor habitats. |
| Wolf Spider | Widespread across the United States, in various habitats such as forests, grasslands, and urban areas. |
| Funnel Web Spider | Different species distributed across the United States, with varying habitat preferences. |
| Jumping Spider | Found throughout the United States in various environments, including gardens, forests, and urban areas. |
| Orb-Weaver Spider | Different species distributed throughout the United States, particularly in gardens and wooded areas. |
Home Treatments For Spider Bites
For nonvenomous spider bites, you can often manage the treatment at home with the following steps:
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth on and off the site for 10-minute intervals to reduce swelling.
- Elevate the affected area to help further reduce swelling.
- Use an antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to alleviate itching.
- Clean the bite area with soap and water to prevent infection.
- If blisters develop, apply antibiotic ointment to the affected area.
Natural Remedies For Spider Bites
For those seeking herbal approaches to treat spider bites, several natural home remedies may assist in speeding up the healing process, including:
- Aloe Vera Gel: Provides soothing relief to the affected skin and promotes faster healing.
- Essential Oils: These may aid in pain relief and healing when diffused, inhaled, or applied with carrier oil to your skin.
- Lavender Oil: Contains soothing properties that may help reduce pain associated with spider bites.
- Rose Oil: Contributes to pain reduction after a spider bite.
- Bergamot: Studies on mice have shown that bergamot may be effective against nerve pain and could help with spider bite discomfort.
- Chamomile: Possesses anti-inflammatory properties and may assist in reducing skin inflammation and irritation caused by spider bites.
It’s essential to remember that natural remedies are unproven and may have varying effects on your body. If symptoms persist or worsen, seeking medical attention remains crucial.
Identifying Black Widows
Identified by a distinctive red hourglass shape on the underside of its prominent, round abdomen, the black widow spider is easily recognizable. These shiny, black arachnids measure about half an inch in length.
While prevalent throughout North America, they are particularly abundant in the southern and western regions of the United States. Black widows prefer secluded locations, often seeking refuge in quiet, out-of-the-way spaces such as closets, sheds, garages, and woodpiles.
Black Widow Bites
A black widow spider bite may feel like a pinprick, making it easy to miss initially. The first signs could be small, red marks with swelling.
Within an hour, the pain may intensify, spreading to the back, belly, and chest. Stomach cramps and stiffness might occur, along with excessive sweating.
In severe cases, breathing difficulties, a rapid heart rate, nausea, and vomiting may manifest. The area around the bite may also become increasingly red and swollen.
How To Identify Brown Recluse Spiders
The brown recluse spider is best identified by its unique eye arrangement rather than the famous violin shape on its body. Unlike most spiders with eight eyes arranged in two rows of four, the brown recluse has only six eyes, with two in front and two on each side.
These spiders are predominantly found in the southern Midwest and certain areas of the South. You’re most likely to encounter them indoors as they seek shelter in the depths of basements or attics.
If you’re having problems with these creepy crawlers, I’ve written an extensive article with my best tips to get rid of brown recluse spiders.
Brown Recluse Bites
A brown recluse spider bite typically starts with a mild sting sensation, gradually intensifying over the next eighthours. The bite area may develop a small white blister surrounded by a red ring resembling a bullseye.
In some cases, the skin in the center of the bite can turn blue or purple, and an open sore may form, which can continue to enlarge for up to 10 days.
Although uncommon, some individuals may experience additional symptoms alongside the local reaction. These rare symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Rash
- Upset stomach