It’s hard to know the difference between askin ulcerand a spider bite. Spider bites can get inflamed or infected, and they may require treatment.
There are also many different types of skin lesions that can look similar to spider bites but are treated differently than spider bites. If you develop a skin lesion that is painful, tender, swollen, or oozing pus, be sure to get medical attention. This article describes common types of skin lesions that can be mistaken for spider bites.
Spider Bite Pictures and Treatments
Allergic Reaction or Shingles?This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoJose Luis Balarezo GardiolThe raised rash in the photo looks like it could be hives or shingles.Shingles rash forms in a line on one side of the body.It can also be an allergic reaction to any exposure—including a spider bite.ShinglesShingles—also known asherpes zoster—comes from a reactivation of the Varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causeschickenpox. If you experiencingsymptoms of shingles,it is important to get a diagnosis and treatment.If you have shingles or arecaring for someone with shingles, there are ways to get pain relief. There’s also an effectiveshingles vaccinethat can help prevent you from developing this painful condition.Allergic ReactionsAllergic reactions to bug and spider bites can be deadly if they develop intoanaphylactic shock, which causes systemic symptoms—shortness of breath and blood pressure changes. Usually, if anaphylaxis is going to develop it happens fairly quickly after the bite.Bee stingsare commonly considered the most likely to lead to anaphylaxis.
Allergic Reaction or Shingles?
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoJose Luis Balarezo Gardiol
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
The raised rash in the photo looks like it could be hives or shingles.Shingles rash forms in a line on one side of the body.
It can also be an allergic reaction to any exposure—including a spider bite.
Shingles
Shingles—also known asherpes zoster—comes from a reactivation of the Varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causeschickenpox. If you experiencingsymptoms of shingles,it is important to get a diagnosis and treatment.
If you have shingles or arecaring for someone with shingles, there are ways to get pain relief. There’s also an effectiveshingles vaccinethat can help prevent you from developing this painful condition.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to bug and spider bites can be deadly if they develop intoanaphylactic shock, which causes systemic symptoms—shortness of breath and blood pressure changes. Usually, if anaphylaxis is going to develop it happens fairly quickly after the bite.
Bee stingsare commonly considered the most likely to lead to anaphylaxis.
Bites on Both Feet? Probably Not.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoIvonne H.
Diabetes can predispose tocellulitis(inflamed skin cells) that can cause the type of tissue damage seen in this picture. It can also get bad enough to require an amputation.
Staphylococcus aureas and group A streptococcus both cause skin infections that can be mistaken for spider bites.
Why Is it Getting Bigger?This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoNicole HorstmannSpider bites and other types of infections can show expanding lesions like this one. If a lesion keeps growing, starts oozing, smells bad, gets hot, turns black, starts bleeding, is associated with a fever, or starts showing other signs of an infection, it’s time to go to a doctor.
Why Is it Getting Bigger?
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoNicole Horstmann
Spider bites and other types of infections can show expanding lesions like this one. If a lesion keeps growing, starts oozing, smells bad, gets hot, turns black, starts bleeding, is associated with a fever, or starts showing other signs of an infection, it’s time to go to a doctor.
Maybe a Spider Broke the SkinThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoKenneth WalkerA spider bite can cause a break in the skin. This can lead to MRSA, a common diagnosis for skin lesions like the one shown in the photo.Having a weak immune system can also make a person susceptible to this aggressive infection.MRSA Symptoms and Treatment
Maybe a Spider Broke the Skin
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoKenneth Walker
A spider bite can cause a break in the skin. This can lead to MRSA, a common diagnosis for skin lesions like the one shown in the photo.Having a weak immune system can also make a person susceptible to this aggressive infection.
MRSA Symptoms and Treatment
Toe Blister Is Not a Spider BiteThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoBridget WuerdemanThis is a skin infection from MRSA. The blister will probably break and drain at some point, but you don’t want to encourage it prematurely. Popping the blister can introduce another form of bacteria and possibly make the infection worse.
Toe Blister Is Not a Spider Bite
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoBridget Wuerdeman
This is a skin infection from MRSA. The blister will probably break and drain at some point, but you don’t want to encourage it prematurely. Popping the blister can introduce another form of bacteria and possibly make the infection worse.
Frequently Asked Questions
A spider bite typically looks red and inflamed and sometimes forms a painful bump or is itchy. The vast majority of spider bites are harmless.
Conditions that are frequently mistaken for a spider bite:Allergic contact dermatitisHerpes simplexImpetigoIrritant contact dermatitisFuruncle or boilLyme diseaseOther insect bitesPoison ivy, oak, or sumacShinglesStaphylococcal skin infection(including MRSA)Syphilis
Conditions that are frequently mistaken for a spider bite:
Of the 30,000 species of spiders, there are only two in North America that are dangerous: theblack widow spiderand thebrown recluse spider. Both can cause systemic illness, including pain, fever, chills, body aches, cramping, and nausea.
Seek emergency care if:
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gaver-Wainwright MM, Zack RS, Foradori MJ, Lavine LC.Misdiagnosis of spider bites: bacterial associates, mechanical pathogen transfer, and hemolytic potential of venom from the hobo spider, Tegenaria agrestis (Araneae: Agelenidae).J Med Entomol.2011;48(2):382-8. doi:10.1603/ME09224
MedlinePlus.Shingles.
Cronan KM.First aid: Spider bites. KidsHealth from Nemours.
Jenkins TC, Knepper BC, Jason Moore S, Saveli CC, Pawlowski SW, Perlman DM, McCollister BD, Burman WJ,Diabetes mellitus and skin infections.J. Hosp. Med2014;12;788-794. doi:10.1002/jhm.2267
Powers J, McDowell RH.Insect bites. In:StatPearls [Internet].
Rahmani F, Banan Khojasteh SM, et al.Poisonous spiders: bites, symptoms, and treatment; an educational review.Emerg (Tehran).2014;2(2):54-8.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
