From the Guidelines
For a spider bite, the most effective treatment involves cleaning the area with soap and water, applying an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed, as recommended by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1, 2. When it comes to treating spider bites, it's essential to prioritize wound care and pain management.
- Clean the affected area with soap and water to prevent infection.
- Apply an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling, as suggested by the guidelines 2.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) as needed to alleviate local pain.
- Elevate the affected limb if possible to reduce swelling.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to prevent infection, although this is not explicitly mentioned in the guidelines, it is a common practice in wound care. Most spider bites heal on their own within a week, but it's crucial to monitor the bite and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or if you suspect a black widow or brown recluse spider bite, as these may require antivenin treatment 1.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms like severe pain, increasing swelling, difficulty breathing, or signs of infection such as warmth, pus, or fever, as recommended by the guidelines 2.
- Emergency services should be called if a person bitten by a spider develops symptoms throughout the body, such as difficulty breathing, muscle rigidity, dizziness, or confusion, as stated in the guidelines 2.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Spider Bites
- The treatment for spider bites varies depending on the type of spider and the severity of the bite.
- For brown recluse spider bites, a simple technique of curetting the subcutaneous tissue in the necrotic area of the lesion can be effective in preventing skin necrosis and the need for reconstructive surgery 3.
- This technique can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, and it has been shown to control symptoms and prevent further necrosis with excellent cosmetic results 3.
- For black widow spider bites, antivenom is considered the most efficacious therapy available, with opioid analgesics and muscle relaxants providing only temporary and symptomatic relief 4, 5.
- In some cases, surgical treatment may be necessary, such as in the case of a brown recluse spider bite that is refractory to conservative treatment 6.
- For other types of spider bites, such as those from the running spider (Philodromus sp.), management should be as recommended for other cytotoxic spider bites 7.
Symptomatic Relief
- Muscle relaxants, such as benzodiazepines, can be used to provide symptomatic relief for black widow spider bites 4, 5.
- Calcium gluconate can also be used to provide relief from muscle spasms and pain 5.
- Opioid analgesics can be used to manage pain, but they are only effective for temporary and symptomatic relief 4.