Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTreating Common Spider BitesTreating Venomous Spider BitesSpider IdentificationPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Treating Common Spider Bites
Treating Venomous Spider Bites
Spider Identification
Prevention
Natural remedies can be used for common spider bites that are harmless. These at-home measures, like applying ice to the site, can improve symptoms of pain, redness, and swelling. Occasionally, a spider bite may cause an allergic reaction and require additional care.
However, bites fromblack widowandbrown reclusespiders are dangerous.These venomous spiders can cause symptoms that require immediate care and, in some cases, can prove fatal if left untreated. After taking a few steps at home, you should contact your healthcare provider. Don’t wait if trouble breathing or serious symptoms occur.
Mostspider bitesare harmless and lead to the same symptoms as abee sting, including pain, redness, and swelling. Most bites do not cause serious symptoms.These harmless spiders can include:
That said, natural remedies for spider bites will depend on whether or not the spider is considered venomous and therefore a health risk (in some cases, potentially fatal). To care for a nonvenomous spider bite at home:
You also can try applyingtea tree oil, aloe vera, or a baking soda paste to relieve symptoms.
If your symptoms do not improve or start to worsen with home remedies, contact your healthcare provider. There is a risk of infection with any insect bite, or you may have anallergic reaction. Seek medical care if you notice any of the following symptoms:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend attempting to remove the venom from a spider bite.
Venomous spiders in the United States include the brown recluse and black widow. They normally only bite if they feel trapped or have been touched.
To treat a venomous spider bite at home:
Treatment for spider bites typically involves addressing the symptoms as they occur. If you have a heart condition, your healthcare provider may recommend a hospital stay for observation and treatment.
When to Seek Immediate CareKeep in mind that spider bites often occur without seeing the insect. The symptoms may only be noted later and it’s possible that the spider type can’t be identified. Consult your healthcare provider right away if you develop any serious symptoms, such as:Trouble breathingSevere muscle pain, cramping, or weaknessSigns of low blood pressure and shockHeart palpitations(fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart)Vision problemsSevereheadachesFeverYellow discharge from the biteNausea and vomiting
When to Seek Immediate Care
Keep in mind that spider bites often occur without seeing the insect. The symptoms may only be noted later and it’s possible that the spider type can’t be identified. Consult your healthcare provider right away if you develop any serious symptoms, such as:Trouble breathingSevere muscle pain, cramping, or weaknessSigns of low blood pressure and shockHeart palpitations(fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart)Vision problemsSevereheadachesFeverYellow discharge from the biteNausea and vomiting
Keep in mind that spider bites often occur without seeing the insect. The symptoms may only be noted later and it’s possible that the spider type can’t be identified. Consult your healthcare provider right away if you develop any serious symptoms, such as:
The black widow and the brown recluse spider present venom risks in the United States.
Brown Recluse
The brown recluse spider is known as the violin spider because of the violin-shaped mark on its back. It is about 1 inch long. While most spiders have eight eyes, the brown recluse has six.
Brown recluse spiders are commonly found in the Midwest and the South in the United States. They usually live in dry, secluded areas like underneath log piles or in rocks and leaves. Indoors, they may be found in dark areas of the house like closets or the attic.
A brown recluse spider will only bite when it meets with pressure from a human. For example, if you place your foot in your shoe, not knowing a spider was inside, you would be bitten. Brown recluse spider bites may sting at first, then feel painful. You may notice a small white blister at the site of the bite.
Symptoms usually last for 24–36 hours and include:
The brown recluse bite can cause the skin to deteriorate. Known as skinnecrosis, this condition needs medical treatment right away.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics, and over-the-counter antihistamines like Claritin (loratadine) may help with symptom relief. Petroleum jelly applied to the bite may help as the wound heals, but avoid the use of alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Soaking in sterile saline (salt) water can help to keep the site clean, as can povidone-iodine solution. Keep in mind that while brown recluse spider bites typically heal well and home remedies can help, you should talk with your healthcare provider about treatment measures.
Black Widow
Black widow spiders are black, with a red hourglass pattern on their underside. Black widow spiders are mostly found in the U.S. South and the West but can live anywhere in North America.
They prefer to live in undisturbed areas and may be found under woodpiles. They can also live near outdoor toilets because of the abundance of flies, which they will eat.
Black widow spiders tend to build their webs between objects. These spiders usually bite when a human comes into contact with one of their webs.
A black widow spider bite has two puncture marks. Because this spider’s venom is a neurotoxin (poison that impacts the nervous system), the pain will start at the site of the bite and then spread to other areas.
Other symptoms may last for several days and include:
Spider Identification Chart
Identifying a brown recluse vs. a house spider is a helpful way to know if your bite is poisonous.
Brown Recluse0.25–0.75 inches longGolden-brown colorViolin-shaped marking on the backSix eyesHouse SpiderLess than 0.25 inches longBrown color, may have brown or white spotting on the bellyDark rings on the legsEight eyes
Brown Recluse0.25–0.75 inches longGolden-brown colorViolin-shaped marking on the backSix eyes
0.25–0.75 inches long
Golden-brown color
Violin-shaped marking on the back
Six eyes
House SpiderLess than 0.25 inches longBrown color, may have brown or white spotting on the bellyDark rings on the legsEight eyes
Less than 0.25 inches long
Brown color, may have brown or white spotting on the belly
Dark rings on the legs
Eight eyes
Steps you can take to prevent spider bites include:
If you’ve been working in the attic or outside near potential spider habitats, shake out your clothes and boots before putting them in the laundry basket or back in the closet.
Summary
Most spider bites are harmless and do not require treatment apart from natural remedies used at home, like cleaning the wound and applying ice. Bites from brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders are dangerous because of the spiders’ venom.
13 SourcesVerywell 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.MedlinePlus.Spider bites.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Spider Bites.National Park Service.Field Guide to Spiders and Scorpions.American Academy of Family Physicians.What Should I do if I Get a Spider Bite?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Venomous Spiders at Work.MedlinePlus.Shock.Abdelazeem B, Eurick-Bering K, Ayad S, Malik B, Kalynych Z.A Case Report of Brown Recluse Spider Bite.Cureus. 2021 Jul 27;13(7):e16663. doi:10.7759/cureus.16663OSHA Fact Sheet.Brown recluse spider.Government of Alberta.Brown Recluse Spider Bite: Care Instructions.Merck Manual Consumer Version.Spider Bites.Polli NLC, Ferreira MEF, Schluga PHC, Antunes BC, Justa HCD, Theodoro JL,et al.Novel insights into the application of recombinant mutated phospholipases D as antigens for developing new strategies against Loxoscelism.Acta Trop. 2024 Oct;258:107354. doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2024OSHA Fact Sheet.Black widow spider.National Wildlife Federation.Common house spider.
13 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.MedlinePlus.Spider bites.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Spider Bites.National Park Service.Field Guide to Spiders and Scorpions.American Academy of Family Physicians.What Should I do if I Get a Spider Bite?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Venomous Spiders at Work.MedlinePlus.Shock.Abdelazeem B, Eurick-Bering K, Ayad S, Malik B, Kalynych Z.A Case Report of Brown Recluse Spider Bite.Cureus. 2021 Jul 27;13(7):e16663. doi:10.7759/cureus.16663OSHA Fact Sheet.Brown recluse spider.Government of Alberta.Brown Recluse Spider Bite: Care Instructions.Merck Manual Consumer Version.Spider Bites.Polli NLC, Ferreira MEF, Schluga PHC, Antunes BC, Justa HCD, Theodoro JL,et al.Novel insights into the application of recombinant mutated phospholipases D as antigens for developing new strategies against Loxoscelism.Acta Trop. 2024 Oct;258:107354. doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2024OSHA Fact Sheet.Black widow spider.National Wildlife Federation.Common house spider.
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.
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