Spider Bite Treatment

There are a few types of poisonous spiders which release toxin or venom and will cause tissue damage when they pierce their fangs into the skin. The common ones are the brown recluse spider or violin spider and the black widow spider.

You can identify the brown recluse spider by its violin-like mark on its upper back. The black widow has a red mark that looks like an hourglass on its abdomen. You would also notice two small bite marks on the area that was bitten by the spiders.

Symptoms of a Spider Bite

You may experience burning pain within an hour after a black widow spider bites whereas the pain from a brown recluse spider bite may develop several hours later. A brown recluse spider bite may cause itching and redness. Other symptoms such as blister or ulcer, body aches, headache, fever, rash, nausea or vomiting may develop within a couple of days.

Black spider bites can damage the nervous system and cause stiffness but it's rarely fatal. The symptoms of a black widow bite include stomach cramps and stiff back, chest and shoulders. Other symptoms may include itching, rash, chills, sweating, swollen eyelids, nausea, vomiting, tremors and stiffness in the legs.

It is necessary to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect that either one of the spiders have bitten a child. If you are sensitive to spider bites, you too should seek medical attention.

If you aren't sure if it was the black widow spider or brown recluse spider that has bitten and do not wish to get medical assistance, apply first aid. Take note if any symptoms appear within the next few hours or days.

Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spider Bite Treatment

1. Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. This is the first step to avoid an infection. You can also wash with water and salt or Epsom salt.
   
   
   
2. Wrap an ice pack around a thin wash cloth and apply it on the skin. It helps prevent and ease itching and swelling.
   
   
   
3. If the spider has bitten somewhere on the arm or leg, tie a bandage above the bite and raise the arm or leg. This action may prevent the venom from spreading.
   
   
   
4. Apply an antibiotic cream topically to fight against an infection. If you prefer using natural herbal antibiotics, apply tea tree oil diluted or blended with any carrier oil or vegetable oil. Or you can blend it with aloe vera gel for its soothing effect. Lavender oil may also help because of its antiseptic properties.
   
   
   
5. Another option to treat the redness or swelling is to take a small amount of baking soda, mix it with water and make a paste that's thick enough for you to apply on the affected skin. Leave the baking soda paste to dry and then wash it off. Repeat this spider bite treatment after every two hours. You may have to apply this remedy for two or three days but it will provide relief and treat the symptoms.
   
   
   
6. To reduce the pain, take an analgesic or pain killer such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen. If you'd rather take drug free analgesic, choose white willow bark, cat's claw or feverfew.

However, if you notice that the redness on the affected area has increased in size, the color has changed, the itching has become more severe or other symptoms have appeared even after trying the spider bite treatment mentioned above, get medical treatment immediately.

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