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Spider bites often take longer to heal than other insect bites.
The appearance of a spider bite varies depending on the type of spider causing the bite. Spider bites often take longer to heal than other insect bites.
Some common features of spider bites are as follows:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Skin damage
- Pain
Other possible symptoms that may occur include the following:
- Pruritis (itching)
- Rashes or blisters
- Severe pain at the bite site
- Swelling at the sight of bite
- Sweating
- Breathing difficulty
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Increased blood pressure
- Anaphylactic reaction that may turn fatal (Rare)
The spider is brown in color, 1 inch long, and nonaggressive. The bite appears as a red or purple ring resembling a target or bull’s-eye.
There can be blistering that may worsen without treatment. It can lead to tissue death and cause fever and chills. The bites by this spider may need medical attention.
Black widow
This spider is shiny and black with a red hourglass-shaped mark on its stomach.
The bite marks appear as two puncture marks on the skin.
Some systemic signs and symptoms of the bite are as follows:
- Pain and burning at the bite site
- Muscle cramps
- Headache
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased salivating and sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
In some people, a bite by a black widow can make you very sick, and hence, it needs immediate medical attention.
Hobo spider
Bite of a hobo spider may go unnoticed initially, but pain and numbness usually develop after around 15 minutes. It progresses to turn red and eventually becomes hard and swollen after around eight hours. There may be oozing from the wound, and it eventually turns black.
Other systemic signs and symptoms may include the following:
- Vision and hearing disturbance
- Fatigue and weakness
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
Tarantula
Tarantula’s venom is usually not dangerous. Their bite feels similar to a bee sting. Following a bite, a red rash may appear with swelling and itching.
Other systemic symptoms are as follows:
- Palpitations
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Difficulty breathing
- Low blood pressure
Brazilian wandering spider
The bite of Brazilian wandering spiders is extremely painful. There is swelling, redness, warmth, and pain around the bite site. It can lead to tissue death, profuse sweating, and drooling of saliva. Emergency treatment with antivenom is required.
Wolf spider
Wolf spiders are around 3-4 inch long and look similar to tarantulas. Their bite can tear the skin and cause pain, redness, and swelling. It can take up to 10 days for it to heal.
Camel spider
It is sand-colored and have large jaws that can leave a deep wound on the skin. These spiders don’t produce venom, but you may get an infection due to the open wound.
You may also experience swelling around the bite wound and mild-to-intense bleeding.
Jumping spider
They are small, about half an inch, and hairy. The most common type is black with white spots. Its bite feels similar to a wasp sting. An allergic reaction to the spider venom can occur. Symptoms include the following:
- Pain
- Itching
- Redness
- Swelling
- Headache
When to Worry About a spider bite
Are spider bites dangerous?
Most spiders do not have mouthparts strong enough to penetrate human skin, and the majority of spiders found in the U.S. and are actually harmless. There are two notable exceptions, the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider, which are both dangerous to humans. Spider bites are fortunately uncommon. In many cases, presumed spider bites are actually due to another skin condition or an insect sting.
Bites from both the black widow and brown recluse spiders are dangerous to humans and require prompt emergency medical care.
Read more about how to identify, types, and symptoms of spider bites »
Are spider bites dangerous?
There are over 3,000 different types of spiders in North America. The bites of most of the spiders are not dangerous. Their bites may appear red with itching and usually heal in around a week on their own.
The spiders that manage to bite through our skin and insert toxic venom can cause serious health complications. Immediate medical attention is required if there are systemic signs and symptoms, or if the bites turn into sores.
How are spider bites treated?
In most cases, nonvenomous spider bites may heal on their own or with simple home remedies such as:
- Cleaning the area with soap and clean water
- Applying an ice pack on and off over the affected area for 10-15 minutes at a time
- Elevating the area to reduce swelling
- Taking an over-the-counter antihistamine (for itching) and painkillers
- Cleaning the wound with an antiseptic
- Applying antibiotic ointment to the affected area
Immediate medical attention is required if there are systemic signs and symptoms or if the bite does not heal or become worse. Bites by one of the following species require emergency medical treatment:
- Brown recluse
- Black widow
- Hobo spider
- Tarantula
- Brazilian wandering spider