From the Guidelines
Treatment for a spider bite typically involves cleaning the bite area with soap and water, applying an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) as needed, as recommended by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. When it comes to managing spider bites, it's essential to prioritize symptoms and potential complications.
- For most spider bites, symptoms are self-limited and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications and local wound care.
- However, certain spider bites, such as those from black widow or brown recluse spiders, can cause more severe symptoms, including intense pain, muscle rigidity, and difficulty breathing, which may require immediate medical attention 1.
- The guidelines recommend seeking medical care if pain extends beyond the site of the bite, 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 1.
- Additionally, 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 1.
- It's also important to note that people with compromised immune systems, children, and the elderly should be especially vigilant about spider bites and seek medical care more readily.
- In terms of specific treatments, over-the-counter acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents can be used to alleviate local pain from spider bites, and ice can be useful for local pain relief, as suggested by the guidelines 1.
From the Research
Treatment for Spider Bites
- Most spider bites cause minimal or no effects and require little treatment beyond local irritation care 2.
- For certain spider bites, such as the funnel web spider, a medical emergency may be declared, and a pressure immobilisation bandage should be applied, with the patient transferred to a hospital with available antivenom and resuscitation facilities 2.
- In cases of latrodectism (red back spider envenomation), pain management may be necessary, as well as monitoring for systemic symptoms 2.
- For bites causing dermonecrosis, secondary infection, neuromuscular damage, and allergic reactions, intensive medical management may be required, including the use of antivenin for black widow bites 3.
- It is essential to consider spider bites in the differential diagnosis of unexplained autonomic and neurological dysfunction, particularly in children 2.
- Skin ulceration is more likely to be an infective, inflammatory, or traumatic cause than a case of necrotising arachnidism, especially in Australia 2.
- Diagnosis of spider bites can be challenging due to the lack of direct evidence, such as the spider being seen at the time of the bite, and should be labeled as arthropod bites, vector unknown 3.