From the Guidelines
The treatment for spider bites typically involves cleaning the bite area with soap and water, applying a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as needed. For most spider bites, these simple measures are sufficient as the majority of spiders in North America are not dangerous to humans. Elevating the affected limb can help reduce swelling. Some key considerations for treatment include:
- Cleaning the bite area with soap and water to prevent infection
- Applying a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as needed, as recommended by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1
- Monitoring for signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus
- Watching for systemic symptoms like severe pain, muscle cramps, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting, which warrant immediate medical attention, as outlined in the guidelines 1
If the bite is from a potentially dangerous spider like a black widow or brown recluse, medical attention should be sought immediately, as these bites can cause severe crampy pain, muscle rigidity, diaphoresis, and hypertension, or painful ulcerated wounds that progress over days to weeks, sometimes associated with hemolysis and rhabdomyolysis, as described in the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. In these cases, treatment may include antivenin (particularly for black widow bites), antibiotics if infection develops, and tetanus prophylaxis if needed. It is essential to follow the guidelines for when to seek medical care, such as if pain extends beyond the site of the bite/sting, becomes severe, and is not controlled by over-the-counter pain medications; if an open wound develops; or if the person experiences symptoms throughout the body, as recommended by the guidelines 1.
From the Research
Treatment for Spider Bites
The treatment for spider bites varies depending on the type of spider and the severity of the bite.
- Most spider bites cause minimal medical importance and require little treatment [ 2 ].
- However, some spider bites, such as those from the brown recluse or Hobo spider, can cause severe cutaneous and systemic reactions and require intensive medical management [ 2 ].
- In the case of a black widow spider bite, severe neurologic problems can occur, and the use of antivenin may be necessary [ 2 ].
- It is often difficult to diagnose spider bites as the spider is not seen at the time of the suspected bite, and such bites should be labeled as arthropod bites, vector unknown [ 2 ].
Management of Spider Bites
- For bites that cause dermonecrosis, secondary infection, neuromuscular damage, and allergic reactions, a clinical approach to diagnosis and management is necessary [ 2 ].
- At least 60 species of spiders have been implicated in human bites, and the management of these bites should be based on the severity of the reaction and the type of spider involved [ 2 ].