spider crawling on someone's arm, ready for a spider bite

If you’ve ever been bitten by a bug, you might have no idea which one bit you. Mosquito bites are fairly common and recognizable – but what about a spider bite? And what happens when a spider bites you?

All spiders have fangs, and some spider fangs can break through human skin and inject venom, causing harm. Spider bites most often occur in self-defense when a spider feels trapped, such as in a boot or in your sheets. While most spiders are harmless and irritation from a bite goes away in less than 24 hours, dangerous spiders include the black widow, brown recluse, hobo, wolf, and camel spiders.

To know for sure if a spider has bitten you, it’s important to know the symptoms so you can get the right treatment. The good news is that serious medical complications and deaths from spider bites are not common.

Signs & Symptoms of a Spider Bite

It can be hard to figure out which type of spider bit you because it may not be noticed until hours after it happened. Spider bites can be similar to a regular bug bite: red, itchy, and inflamed. Depending on the type of spider, bite symptoms can range from mild to severe. The intensity can depend on the type of spider, the amount of venom injected, and your body’s sensitivity to venom.

The following are the general symptoms of a spider bite:

Inflammation
Redness
Itching
Mild pain

Symptoms of a serious spider bite, such as a bite by a black widow, brown recluse, or wolf spider, include:

Burning and pain in the bite area
Pain spreading to the chest or abdomen
An increase in sweat and saliva production
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Numbness
High blood pressure
Fever, chills, body aches
Dark blue or purple color at the center of a bite, resulting in an ulcer
Death to a sizeable area of the skin, causing a deep scarring ulcer
Possible allergic reaction in children

What Does a Spider Bite Look and Feel Like?

Since spiders typically bite at night, you’ll likely notice a bite in the morning when you wake up.

Bites are typically painful, irritating, and swollen – and they may feel like a bee sting. At the bite site, you’ll likely see a raised red bump (and possibly some fang marks). For bites from more dangerous species, such as the brown recluse spider, a bull’s eye bump may appear and change color over multiple days.

Spider Bite Stages

Spider bites may vary by species, but will typically follow these stages:

Painful, itchy bump at the bite site (immediately).
Bull’s eye or red rash formation (after a few hours).
Bump and other symptoms go away (around 24 hours after the bite occurs).

Spider Bite Treatment

If you suspect a spider has bitten you and you have the spider, bring it with you to your doctor so they can determine the best treatment based on the species. Take the following steps to care for a spider bite:

Wash the area with soap and water.
Use a cold, damp cloth or ice to apply a cool compress to the site.
If the bite is on an extremity, elevate the area where the bite is located.
Avoid scratching the bite area. The more you scratch, the itchier and more inflamed it can become.
Take aspirin or acetaminophen and antihistamines to relieve pain or swelling in adults. Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers.

How to Tell if a Spider Bite is Serious & When to Be Concerned

Although there are many venomous spider species, even their bites are mild and not serious.

If spider bite symptoms are severe or progressively worsen over 24 hours, seek medical attention right away. Signs you need to look out for with a serious spider bite include:

Fever
Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Fainting (passing out)
New redness in the bite area more than 24 hours after the bite happens
Bite not going away after two days

How Long Do Spider Bites Last?

Spider bites typically last up to two days. If your spider bite rash (or other symptoms) lasts longer than that, seek professional medical help right away.

Avoid Bites With Professional Spider Control

Are spider infestations an issue in your home? Inman-Murphy, Inc.‘s professional pest control can keep dangerous spiders away. Our experts will come in, conduct a thorough inspection, find out exactly where spiders are hiding, and create a tailored extermination plan. We’ll guide you every step of the way!

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