How can you identify a spider bite. What are the symptoms of venomous spider bites. When should you seek medical attention for a spider bite. What are effective treatments for spider bites.

Common Misconceptions About Spider Bites

Many people mistakenly attribute various skin irritations to spider bites. However, experts like Rick Vetter, a retired entomologist from the University of California, Riverside, emphasize that true spider bites are relatively rare. Most red marks or welts that people assume are spider bites are often caused by other insects or skin conditions.

Dr. Jonathan Day, a professor emeritus of medical entomology at the University of Florida, supports this view. He notes that many supposed “spider bites” are likely mosquito bites that have become infected due to scratching. The term “spider bite” has become a catch-all phrase for various severe skin infections, leading to frequent misdiagnosis.

Characteristics of Genuine Spider Bites

Despite their rarity, spider bites do occur, and their appearance can vary significantly. Vetter explains that there’s no single, definitive look for a spider bite. The reaction can differ based on the spider species and the individual’s response to the venom.

Generally, a spider bite may resemble a bee sting: a sharp pain followed by a red, inflamed bump on the skin that may be itchy or painful. However, this description is primarily applicable to common household spiders and non-venomous species.

Identifying Venomous Spider Bites

• Brown Recluse Spider Bites: These can range from small blisters to large, necrotic sores. Symptoms may include chills, fever, and nausea.
• Black Widow Spider Bites: Often painful immediately, these bites may cause skin lesions and systemic reactions like muscle cramps and difficulty breathing.
• Hobo Spiders and Other Domestic Spiders: Bites from these species typically result in reactions similar to bee stings.

The Brown Recluse Spider: Facts and Misconceptions

Brown recluse spiders are often blamed for more harm than they actually cause. Their bites can indeed be serious, potentially leading to skin necrosis, and in rare cases, severe systemic reactions. However, it’s crucial to understand that these spiders have a limited geographic range, primarily found in the central and southern United States.

Are brown recluse spiders aggressive? Contrary to popular belief, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that venomous spiders, including the brown recluse, are not typically aggressive. They usually bite only when threatened or inadvertently pressed against the skin.

Black Widow Spiders: A Potent Venom

Black widow spider bites are known for their potent venom. While they may cause visible skin reactions, the most significant effects often occur internally. The venom can lead to a range of symptoms, from localized pain to systemic reactions affecting various parts of the body.

Symptoms of Black Widow Spider Bites

1. Immediate pain at the bite site
2. Pain spreading to chest or abdomen within an hour
3. Headaches and muscle weakness
4. Difficulty breathing
5. Seizures (in severe cases)
6. Numbness and painful muscle cramps

Domestic Spiders and Their Bites

Hobo spiders, wolf spiders, and common house spiders, while capable of biting, do not pose significant medical risks to humans. Their bites typically result in reactions similar to bee stings – a sharp pain followed by localized swelling and redness.

How long do these domestic spider bites usually last? In most cases, the symptoms of non-venomous spider bites resolve within a few days without requiring medical intervention.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Spider Bites

Most spider bites heal on their own without complications. However, there are situations where medical attention is necessary. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical help if you suspect a bite from a black widow or brown recluse spider, especially if you’re experiencing severe symptoms.

Signs That Require Medical Attention

• Severe pain or swelling at the bite site
• Spreading redness or streaking from the bite area
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Severe muscle pain or cramping
• Headache, fever, or nausea
• Signs of a growing ulcer or necrotic wound

Can spider bites cause allergic reactions? Yes, in rare cases, individuals may experience severe allergic reactions to spider venom. If you notice signs of anaphylaxis, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Treatment Options for Spider Bites

The treatment for spider bites varies depending on the severity and type of spider involved. For most non-venomous spider bites, home remedies can be effective in managing symptoms and promoting healing.

Home Remedies for Minor Spider Bites

1. Clean the bite area with soap and water
2. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
3. Use over-the-counter pain relievers if needed
4. Apply antihistamine cream to reduce itching
5. Elevate the affected limb to minimize swelling

For venomous spider bites, professional medical treatment is often necessary. This may include antivenom administration for black widow bites or specialized wound care for brown recluse bites.

Medical Treatments for Severe Spider Bites

• Antivenom therapy (for black widow bites)
• Antibiotics to prevent secondary infections
• Tetanus shot, if needed
• Pain management medications
• Wound care and debridement (for necrotic wounds)

How long does it take for a spider bite to heal completely? The healing time can vary significantly depending on the type of spider and the severity of the bite. Minor bites may heal within a week, while more severe bites, especially those causing necrosis, can take several weeks or even months to heal fully.

Prevention: Reducing the Risk of Spider Bites

While spider bites are relatively rare, taking preventive measures can further reduce the risk of encountering these arachnids and sustaining bites.

Effective Spider Bite Prevention Strategies

• Seal cracks and crevices in your home’s exterior
• Keep storage areas clean and clutter-free
• Wear gloves when handling stored items or working outdoors
• Shake out shoes and clothing before wearing, especially if stored in basements or garages
• Use caution when moving rocks, logs, or debris outdoors
• Consider using spider repellents in problem areas

Can certain plants or essential oils repel spiders? Some natural repellents, such as peppermint oil or eucalyptus, may help deter spiders. However, their effectiveness can vary, and they should be used in conjunction with other prevention methods for best results.

Debunking Spider Bite Myths

Misconceptions about spider bites abound, often leading to unnecessary fear and misinformation. Let’s address some common myths and provide accurate information.

Common Spider Bite Myths

1. Myth: All spiders are dangerous and aggressive.
   Reality: Most spiders are harmless to humans and prefer to avoid contact.
2. Myth: You can always identify a spider bite by its appearance.
   Reality: Spider bites can vary greatly in appearance and are often mistaken for other insect bites or skin conditions.
3. Myth: Spider bites always require medical attention.
   Reality: Most spider bites heal on their own without complications.
4. Myth: Spiders bite humans to feed on their blood.
   Reality: Spiders do not feed on human blood; they bite only as a defense mechanism.
5. Myth: You can identify the spider by the bite mark.
   Reality: It’s nearly impossible to identify a spider solely based on the bite appearance.

Why is it important to dispel these myths? Accurate information helps reduce unnecessary fear, prevents misdiagnosis, and ensures appropriate treatment when needed. It also promotes a better understanding of spiders’ role in our ecosystem.

The Role of Spiders in Ecosystems and Pest Control

While discussions about spiders often focus on their potential dangers, it’s crucial to understand the vital role these arachnids play in our ecosystems and as natural pest controllers.

Ecological Importance of Spiders

• Pest Control: Spiders consume vast numbers of insects, helping to control pest populations naturally.
• Biodiversity: They are an essential part of the food web, serving as prey for birds, lizards, and other animals.
• Indicator Species: Spider populations can indicate the overall health of an ecosystem.
• Agricultural Benefits: By controlling pest insects, spiders indirectly help protect crops.

How do spiders benefit human environments? In homes and gardens, spiders help control populations of flies, mosquitoes, and other nuisance insects. This natural pest control can reduce the need for chemical pesticides, contributing to a healthier living environment.

Balancing Fear and Appreciation

Understanding the positive aspects of spiders can help balance the fear often associated with these creatures. While it’s important to be cautious around potentially dangerous species, fostering an appreciation for spiders’ ecological role can lead to more informed and less fearful interactions with these fascinating arachnids.

Advancements in Spider Bite Treatment and Research

The field of arachnology and medical treatment for spider bites continues to evolve. Recent advancements have improved our understanding of spider venoms and their effects on humans, leading to more effective treatments and management strategies.

Recent Developments in Spider Bite Treatment

1. Improved Antivenom: More effective and safer antivenoms for black widow spider bites have been developed.
2. Wound Care Techniques: Advanced techniques for managing necrotic wounds from brown recluse bites have emerged.
3. Venom Research: Studies on spider venom components have led to potential new medical applications, including pain management and cancer treatment.
4. Diagnostic Tools: Better methods for accurately identifying spider bites have been developed, reducing misdiagnosis.
5. Prevention Strategies: Research has led to more effective spider control methods that are environmentally friendly.

How might spider venom research benefit medical science? Spider venom contains numerous complex compounds, some of which show promise in treating conditions like chronic pain, epilepsy, and certain types of cancer. This research opens up new avenues for drug development and medical treatments.

Future Directions in Spider Bite Management

Ongoing research aims to further improve our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat spider bites. This includes developing more targeted treatments, enhancing public education about spiders, and exploring the potential medical applications of spider venom components.

As our understanding of spiders and their venom continues to grow, we can expect more effective and less invasive treatments for spider bites, as well as exciting new applications in medicine derived from spider venom research.

Identifying and Treating Spider Bites

By Markham HeidMedically Reviewed by Mohiba Tareen, MD

Reviewed: October 5, 2022

Medically Reviewed

Spider bites can look very different from person to person, and much also depends on the type of spider.Leonardo Briganti/Alamy

You spot an angry-looking red welt on your leg, and it seems too big to be a mosquito bite. Must be a spider bite, right?

Not so fast. “People wake up in the morning and find a red mark, and immediately call it a spider bite,” says Rick Vetter, a retired staff research associate and entomologist at the University of California, Riverside. But most of the skin issues people pin on spiders are actually other types of bug bites or skin issues, he says.

Other researchers back Vetter up on this. “Spider bites are really rare,” says Jonathan Day, PhD, a professor emeritus of medical entomology at the University of Florida. He explains that most “spider bites” are more likely mosquito bites that were scratched and became infected. “Spider bite is a catchall grouping whenever there’s a severe skin infection; they’re all lumped in as spider bites,” he says.

So the first thing every spider expert in America would like people to know about spider bites is that they’re uncommon and often misdiagnosed. That said, some spiders do bite people, and the result can be ugly.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Bug Bites and Related Diseases

Identifying a Spider Bite: What Does One Look Like?

A lot of things. “There’s no one true spider bite,” Vetter says.

Spider Bites Can Look Very Different

Different types of spider bites may provoke different reactions in different people, he says. Even if you’re talking about just one type of spider — say, the brown recluse — its bite could cause a range of reactions, “everything from a little pimple-like bump to a rotting-flesh lesion,” he says.

At the same time, Vetter allows that different types of spider bites do produce distinct reactions. “I’ve had patients contact me saying, ‘This mark on my leg was either from a widow or a recluse,’ but that’s like saying you either got stabbed or trampled to death,” he says. His point: Black widow and brown recluse bites are so different that they could never be mistaken for one another.

But when it comes to common household spiders, hobo spiders, and other domestic varieties, a spider’s bite has some predictable characteristics.

How to Identify Which Spider Bit You

Broadly speaking, a spider’s bite tends to resemble a bee sting: a sharp prick of pain is followed by a red, inflamed skin lump that may hurt or itch but that goes away after a few days. (1) But when it comes to venomous spider bites, there are characteristic signs and symptoms.

Brown recluse bites sting, and they can resemble anything from small blisters to large, rotting-flesh sores, Vetter says. “Its bite causes the collapse of the capillary bed” — also known as skin necrosis (2) — “so people who are obese and have poor support of the capillary cells may have a more massive reaction,” he explains. Along with a wide variety of skin symptoms, brown recluse bites can cause chills, fever, nausea, and other flu-like symptoms common to infections. (3) The brown recluse’s bite is poisonous and can result in coma, kidney failure, or even death.

Because of the severe reaction a brown recluse bite can trigger, these spiders are likely blamed for more harm than they actually cause. The reality is that the brown recluse spider is limited in its geographic range: It’s found in the central and southern United States. (4) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that while venomous spiders are dangerous, they aren’t usually aggressive. (2)

Black widow bites can in some cases cause skin lesions, ranging from small red marks to angry, red, streaky skin patches that are inflamed or contain pus. “But most of the reaction will be on the inside,” Vetter says.

Black widow bites contain potentially deadly amounts of venom and tend to be painful right away. Although that pain starts around the bite site, within an hour, it often spreads to the chest or abdomen, depending on whether the bite occurred on the victim’s upper or lower body. Other symptoms can include everything from headaches, muscle weakness, and difficulty breathing, to seizures, numbness, and painful muscle cramps. (5)

Hobo spiders, wolf spiders, house spiders, and the bites of other domestic types do not contain venoms that are of medical importance to humans, Vetter says. They can bite, he adds. But the result is likely to be similar to a bee sting — meaning a sharp pain, followed by a swollen, red, painful lump at the bite site.

Spider Bites Usually Heal on Their Own. Here’s When to Seek Medical Attention

If you think you were bitten by a black widow or brown recluse spider — either because you actually felt and saw the spider, or you’re experiencing the types of skin or systemic symptoms consistent with their bites — head to the emergency room. (6) Vetter says that recluse bites do usually heal on their own and don’t cause scarring wounds. But it’s better to play it safe.

If your spider bite isn’t causing any internal symptoms, or you’re sure it wasn’t a black widow or brown recluse that bit you, follow these steps:

1. Clean the bite with soap and water.
2. Swab the bite with alcohol to prevent infection, Dr. Day recommends.
3. Apply ice or a cold compress to keep the swelling down.

If pain or itching develops at the bite site, it’s fine to take OTC pain meds or antihistamines for relief. But if pain spreads beyond the site of the bite, or if the swelling, inflammation, or redness are getting worse even a day or two after the bite occurred, get medical attention. You may have a secondary infection — something caused by bacteria getting into the bite — or you may have been bitten by a widow or recluse, Day says.

Why Do Spiders Bite People?

Unlike many other biting bugs, spiders are neither bloodsuckers nor flesh eaters. Vetter says they bite people for one reason only: self-defense.

“Biting is a last-ditch defensive response if a spider is being squashed,” he says. This can happen when someone rolls over in bed on top of a spider — or sits down on one, he says. “I’ve transferred spiders hundreds of times, and they’ll be running all over my arm and have no interest in biting,” he adds.

So while spider bites do occur, they’re far less common than most people assume.

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Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

1. Spider Bites. MedlinePlus. August 9, 2014.
2. Types of Venomous Spiders. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 31, 2018.
3. Brown Recluse Spider. MedlinePlus. July 20, 2021.
4. Brown Recluse Spider. Entomology at the University of Kentucky. July 12, 2018.
5. Black Widow Spider. MedlinePlus. July 20, 2021.
6. Spider Bites: First Aid. Mayo Clinic. June 11, 2021.

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Identify What Bit You and Get Proper Help

When a spider bites, it may leave two marks on the skin. Some spider bites can produce severe symptoms, but very few are life threatening, and most spiders cannot bite humans.

In this article, find out how to recognize the symptoms of different spider bites and learn about some spiders that can bite humans.

There are over 3,500 spiders in the United States, but most are not dangerous. Only two species raise significant medical concerns: the widow and the recluse.

Most spiders bite, but their fangs are too small or weak to puncture human skin. Many spiders have weak or prey-specific toxins that are unlikely to affect humans. If they do bite, they may leave itchy, red wounds that heal within a week or so.

However, some spiders can bite through human skin and insert powerful toxins. Bites by these spiders are rarely fatal but can cause health complications, such as tissue death and painful muscle spasms.

Read on to learn:

• what spider bites look like
• what spider varieties leave certain bites
• how to treat spider bites

Identifying a spider bite is easier if you saw the spider that bit you, but you may not notice the wound until hours later.

Look for things like:

• swelling
• a red welt
• skin damage
• any troubling symptoms that accompany the bite

Other possible symptoms that may accompany a spider bite include:

• itching or rash
• pain around the area of the bite
• muscle pain or cramping
• a red or purplish blister
• sweating
• difficulty breathing
• headache
• nausea and vomiting
• fever
• chills
• anxiety or restlessness
• rashes
• swollen lymph glands
• high blood pressure

Spider bites can take longer to heal than other insect bites and may affect skin tissues. Keeping the bite clean can reduce the risk of infection.

In some cases, you can treat spider bites at home. For nonvenomous spider bites, follow these steps:

• Apply an ice pack on and off the bite for 10 minutes at a time. Always wrap ice or an ice pack in a cloth.
• Elevate the area to reduce swelling.
• Take an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), to help with itching.
• Clean the area with soap and water to prevent infection.
• Apply antibiotic ointment to the area if blisters develop.

Seek medical attention if you’re showing symptoms of a spider bite or if the symptoms don’t go away over time.

Always seek medical attention if you suspect one of the following species has bitten you:

• brown recluse
• black widow
• hobo spider
• tarantula
• Brazilian wandering spider

Learn where these spiders hide and what they look like below.

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The brown recluse belongs to the Loxosceles or recluse family of spiders. Brown spiders, like the brown recluse, have a body around one-third of an inch long.

Brown recluse spiders are not usually aggressive but will bite if trapped against a person’s skin. They typically hide in dark, secluded spaces. It’s also called the violin spider because of the dark marking on its back.

The brown recluse is usually found in areas such as:

• Missouri
• Tennessee
• Kansas
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Oklahoma
• Eastern Texas

The initial brown recluse bite may be painless, but within 2–8 hours, it’ll begin to itch, hurt, and turn red. A red or purple ring resembling a target or bull’s-eye will develop around the bite.

The bite can blister and grow progressively worse without treatment to the point where it may kill surrounding tissue and cause fever, chills, and headache.

On rare occasions, it can cause:

• coma or seizures
• jaundice
• blood in urine
• kidney failure

There’s no antidote for a brown recluse bite, but keeping the area clean can encourage faster healing.

Your doctor will examine the bite and prescribe antibiotics. People who experience tissue death may need surgery and time in the hospital.

How do you treat a brown recluse spider bite?

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The black widow spider is of the Latrodectus (widow) family of spiders. It is shiny and black with a distinct, reddish, hourglass-shaped mark on its belly. The body is around half an inch long.

Found mostly in the warm Southern and Western United States, the black widow stays in secluded spaces such as:

• piles of fallen leaves
• woodpiles
• boxes in the attic

Only the female black widow is toxic. Black widow bites can feel like a small pinprick or nothing at all, but your skin’s reaction will be immediate. You’ll be able to see the two puncture marks on your skin.

Within an hour, you may start to notice:

• muscle cramping
• pain and burning at the puncture site
• headache
• high blood pressure
• increased saliva and sweating
• nausea and vomiting
• numbness
• restlessness

Prompt treatment is essential, especially in children and older adults. A doctor may prescribe an antivenom.

What happens if a black widow spider bites you?

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Hobo spiders are common in the Pacific Northwest. Their body measures around half to three-quarters of an inch long. They sit up high on long legs and run fast.

Hobo spiders can bite when provoked.

Take care when cleaning:

• behind furniture
• under baseboards
• in closets

You may not notice a bite from a hobo spider at first, but it’ll cause pain and numbness within 15 minutes.

After 1 hour, the site will start to turn red. In 8 hours, it’ll become hardened and swollen. After 24 to 26 hours, the wound may discharge fluids and eventually turn black.

Other signs and symptoms may include:

• a red or purple blister at the puncture site
• visual or aural disruption
• weakness
• joint pain
• headaches
• nausea
• sweating

Hobo spider bites are slow to heal. Seek immediate medical treatment if you suspect a hobo spider has bitten you.

The treatment is similar to that of brown recluse spider bites. It may involve:

• corticosteroids
• antibiotics
• surgery

Treatment works best if administered within 24 hours of the bite.

What else should you know about a hobo spider bite?

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Tarantulas occur in southwestern states with desert climates and as far east as the Mississippi River. They tend to hide under:

• logs or stones
• tree trunks
• in tunnels or burrows

Most tarantula bites in the United States are from pet tarantulas.

You can usually identify tarantulas by their appearance.

They have:

• a body one-and-a-half to two inches long
• a hairy texture
• visible fangs that hang down

Tarantulas aren’t aggressive. The venom from the species found in the United States isn’t considered dangerous. Their bite may be painless or feel like a bee sting. The area will become warm and red.

Other potential symptoms can appear several hours or even days later and include:

• rash
• swelling
• itching
• rapid heart rate
• eyelid puffiness
• trouble breathing
• low blood pressure

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

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The Brazilian wandering spider is native to Central and South America. It moves quickly and aggressively. The body of a wandering spider is around one-quarter to one-and-a-quarter inches long. It’s considered one of the most venomous spiders in the world.

The bite of a Brazilian wandering spider is extremely painful. It can quickly result in heavy sweating and drooling. The skin around the bite will usually swell, turn red, and get hot.

In severe cases, the bite can result in dead tissue or death.

Seek emergency treatment immediately. Antivenom is available for this spider’s bite.

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Common all over the country, wolf spiders have a body length of one-quarter to one-and-a-third inches and look similar to tarantulas. They like to stalk their prey by hunting on the ground.

You’ll find them:

• in sand and gravel
• around the bases of doors and windows
• in house plants

Look for two large eyes in the middle of their faces, accompanied by six smaller eyes.

A wolf spider’s bite may tear the skin and cause pain, redness, and swelling. You may also experience swollen lymph nodes as a result of the bite.

For some people, healing can take up to 10 days. In rare cases, the bite can lead to tissue damage.

What do you need to know about a wolf spider bite?

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One of the most common household spiders, the jumping spider exists throughout the United States. Around one-fifth to three-quarters of an inch long, it has a stout, hairy body.

The most common type is black with white spots on top. It moves erratically and actually jumps as a method of moving between locations. You’re likely to find it outside in gardens and near other vegetation.

The jumping spider’s bite is usually no worse than a wasp sting. It can be dangerous if you’re allergic to spider venom.

Serious symptoms include:

• pain
• itching
• redness
• swelling
• headaches

They’ll attack if threatened, so use gloves when gardening.

How do you treat a jumping spider bite?

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The sand-colored camel spider lives in desert climates and has a powerful pincer on its head. They occur in central and southern Mexico and the western United States.

A camel spider will always seek the coolest place around, which just may be your shadow. A fast runner (up to 10 mph), some can grow to over 2 inches long.

Because of its large jaws, a camel spider can leave a significant wound in human 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.

Always seek medical attention if you suspect you or someone else has symptoms of a spider bite.

Call 911 if the person has:

• an allergic reaction, including hives, swelling, and breathing difficulty
• shock or breathing problems, even if these do not appear to be an allergic reaction
• muscle cramps
• fever
• loss of consciousness
• severe or rapidly worsening pain, swelling, or other symptoms

If you see the spider, try to take a photo in case you need to show it to a doctor later for identification.

You may need a tetanus booster if you haven’t had one in the last 10 years.

For the best outcome, seek treatment for a spider bite within 24 hours of being bitten.

What can you do at home to ease the effect of a spider bite?

Spiders may be present in the home, in yards, outdoors, and in workplaces.

Here are some tips to reduce the risk of a spider bite:

• known how to identify venomous spiders in your local area
• take care when outdoors hiking or camping or at home working in the yard
• be vigilant when disturbing items or places that have not been disturbed for some time, such as a log pile or an attic
• inspect or shake out any clothing, shoes, boots, and equipment before use, especially if stored in sheds and outhouses
• wear protective clothing, with long sleeves, gloves, and so on, during yard work and on hikes
• keep the yard clear of debris, as far as possible
• ensure you have a tetanus booster every 10 years

How do you know if a spider bit you?

You will not always know if a spider has bitten you, although some bites cause pain, like a sting. You may notice two puncture marks on the skin. In some cases, there will be a reaction either at once or after some hours, but it depends on the type of spider.

A bite from a wolf spider, for example, can tear the skin and cause pain, redness, and swelling. The bite of a jumping spider may cause pain similar to a wasp sting, and people with an allergy can have a reaction.

How do you tell if you were bitten by a venomous spider?

Symptoms vary widely and depend on the type of spider but include:

• itching, pain, and a rash
• muscle pain or cramps
• sweating, fever, and chills
• breathing problems
• anxiety
• high blood pressure

You may not notice a bite from a brown recluse spider at once, for example, but pain and itching may occur after some hours. A bite from a black widow spider may feel like a pinprick at the time, but puncture marks will be visible, and other symptoms will likely follow, such as muscle cramps and a fever.

How long after a spider bite do symptoms occur?

It will depend on the spider. Some spider bites cause an immediate reaction. Others are painless at the time, while others cause immediate pain and swelling. Symptoms of some venomous spider bites may not appear for several hours. A reaction from a brown recluse spider bite may develop after 2 to 8 hours. Cramping and other symptoms of a black widow spider bite usually start within an hour. A tarantula bite may be painless, but symptoms can appear several hours or days later.

What can be mistaken for a spider bite?

Spider bites often look like other bug bites, but sometimes two puncture marks will be visible. Further reactions can occur, such as swelling, pain, fever, and other symptoms, depending on the spider.

Why is it bad to squeeze a spider bite?

Squeezing a spider bite will not help reduce the risk of symptoms but may spread the venom or any infection further. Instead, wash the area with soap and water and keep it raised, if possible. Apply a damp cloth to reduce swelling, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Most types of spiders in the U.S. will not bite a human. Their mouths are too small, and their fangs are not strong enough to pierce the skin. Some do bite, but their toxin is not strong enough to cause a serious reaction in humans.

However, the bite of a few spiders — such as the black widow and the tarantula — can cause serious harm to humans. Anyone with a severe reaction to a spider bite should seek immediate medical help.

ERR overview: which insects and arachnids are willing to bite and sting the people of Estonia | Ecology

Summer in Estonia is not complete without a can of spray against annoying insects. Mosquitoes, horseflies, ticks and midges are not the only representatives of the local fauna, lying in wait for their prey or even chasing it. The editors of the ERR portal decided to find out which insects and arthropods pose a danger to humans. The topic is commented by the biologist of the Museum of Nature Katerina Pesocki.

Some insects have been familiar to Estonians since early childhood and usually evoke only positive emotions. A prime example of this is the ladybug. The reddish-orange insect of the ladybug family, or coccinellids – the seven-spotted ladybug – immediately catches the eye and is usually perceived as the cutest creature. People often pick it up to take a picture or see how spectacularly the insect will take off from their finger. But there is also an unexpected turn when the ladybug bites.

The seven-spotted ladybug is able to use its mouthparts to bite a person, among other things. Author: Pixabay

Although this small insect is not capable of biting the skin to blood, an unexpected bite can still scare a person. How is it that such a cute insect suddenly bites? The fact is that many representatives of arthropods, especially those with a gnawing type of mouth apparatus, are quite capable of using their weapons, including for self-defense purposes.

Common earwig. Terrible in appearance, but does not bite. Posted by Melani Marfeld / Pixabay

It also happens that not only the jaws, but also various outgrowths on the body can serve as means of self-defense. For example, there are such interesting insects as earwigs. At the end of their elongated body, on the last segment of the abdomen, there are processes called forceps. The insect uses them perfectly, like tongs. They can also be used in self-defense, although often the insect simply frightens by demonstrating its formidable weapon.

Spiders: there are no extremely dangerous spiders in Estonia, but the bite of some can be painful

Defending themselves, not only insects can bite, but also, for example, spiders.

All spiders living in Estonia are predatory “comrades” (lead a predatory lifestyle), and their adaptations are appropriate. Spiders have mouth appendages, chelicerae, and venom ducts that they inject into the victim’s body. The venom of the spiders living in Estonia is not lethal to us, but the bite of large spiders with fairly strong chelicerae can be painful. The bite of some single species can cause redness on the skin, swelling and fever. However, there are no spiders living in Estonia whose venom is extremely dangerous.

In Estonia, there is a yellow-headed piercing spider. Its venom can cause nausea and fever. Author: Fritz Geller-Grimm/Wikipedia

All of the arthropods mentioned use their weapons exclusively for self-defense. Not a single ladybug would think of climbing on a sleeping person to bite him.

Hematophagous: pursue and attack

There are some representatives of arthropods that lead a parasitic lifestyle and are hematophagous, that is, their diet consists of blood. They pursue prey and actively attack.

Some have adapted so effectively to a parasitic way of life that they live with their potential victims: bed bugs and lice with humans, fleas with dogs.

Fleas, bed bugs and louse prefer to coexist with their prey. Author: collage

Other representatives of hematophagous arthropods prefer to live in nature and patiently wait for a meeting with their prey. Among arachnids, these are, of course, ticks.

Ixodid ticks in Estonia

If a person doubts whether a tick is crawling on him, then you can count the limbs: a tick with a flat brownish body has eight limbs. Different types of ticks live in Estonia, of which two species parasitize humans: the taiga tick and the dog tick. The name of the latter does not mean that it is found only in dogs.

The dog tick carries diseases such as Lyme disease, encephalitis, Marseilles fever. Author: Erik Karits / Pixabay

It should be understood that ticks do not fall from trees like pine cones. They wait for their prey on low plants. According to my personal observations, there are more ticks in 2020 than in the past. This was facilitated by a warm winter.

If ixodid ticks are waiting for their prey, sitting in ambush, on some relatively long blade of grass, trying to catch the approach of the desired object with the help of receptors, then some insects have to actively move in search of their prey.

Mosquitoes and their relatives – midges and midges

Everyone knows how piercing the mosquito squeak sounds at night, when the insect flies in the silence of the room above the ear in search of access to blood. There are over 1200 species of mosquitoes in Estonia, but don’t worry – not all of these species feed on blood. There are three families: blood-sucking mosquitoes, midges and midges. They use blood, including human.

The female mosquito needs blood to continue offspring. Author: Pixabay

About 30 species of mosquitoes “drink” human blood. Most of them parasitize humans in the warm season, but there are exceptions, such as the basement mosquito. Such an insect in nature can be found in warm countries. Once in Estonia, this species has adapted to breed in damp basements, and the cold winter does not bother it. Usually, blood-sucking mosquitoes that breed in the nature of our country are active from spring to late autumn. Among blood-sucking mosquitoes, as you know, females “drink” blood, they need it for the development of germ cells and laying eggs.

Mosquitoes’ relatives include midges and midges.

Biting midges are one of the smallest blood-sucking parasites among insects, they are no more than 3 mm in length. These insects begin to fly actively around the time of cherry blossom, but become especially annoying by the beginning of July. It is the females who consume the blood, their bites are painful and cause redness on the skin. There are about 20 species of biting midges in Estonia.

Female midge. Author: Wikipedia

Among the bloodsuckers there are also smaller representatives – midges. The species diversity of midges in our country is also within 20 species. Their saliva causes intense itching.

Deer bloodsuckers, gadflies and blueberry calyptera

In addition to mosquitoes and their relatives, various flies show interest in blood. One family of insects is called the bloodsuckers.

The most famous representative of the bloodsucker in our country is the deer bloodsucker, more often it is called the moose fly. You can meet them in those forests where moose, deer, roe deer and wild boars live. In dry forests without succulent vegetation, and therefore without food for elk and deer, these flies are not found. Most often, a fly crawls over its prey without wings. The fact is that when she lands on her food object, she gets rid of her wings forever.

Deer bloodsuckers are confused with ticks because, once on the body, they shed their wings. Author: Flickr

In addition to deer bloodsuckers and other flies, the well-known gadflies also belong to the short-whiskered suborder. If you tell a child that a horsefly is a large fly, with big eyes and a desire to taste blood, this will not be a lie.

The horsefly has really big eyes to see its prey. Although horseflies are good flyers and can easily fly a couple of kilometers, they still do not fly far from the reservoir. Horse flies are usually active from late May to mid September. The greatest activity is achieved on hot summer days, in cloudy and rainy weather the activity of horseflies decreases. Females feed on blood, males consume plant foods.

Houseflies do not bite

Our harmless housefly has a close relative in the family – the autumn stinger, about 5-7 mm in length. Some people might think that these are house flies “go crazy” by autumn and start biting people, but no. Closer to autumn, it is not at all house flies that attack, but autumn zhigalki. These insects can attack not only in nature, but also indoors. So the housefly bite is a myth.

Autumn Stinger attacks mainly animals, but does not disdain people either. Author: Pavel Krok/Wikipedia

In addition to representatives of the order Diptera, which was discussed earlier, sometimes some representatives of Lepidoptera present surprises. A harmless butterfly is not associated with vampires, and meanwhile, among Lepidoptera there are such species, the diet of which, among other things, includes blood. Although the calyptra cornflower is found in our country, cases of this butterfly attacking a person are very rare, because blood is not the main diet of this insect.

The attack of the calyptra basilis on a person is a rarity. Author: Dumi/Wikipedia

scientist spoke about dangerous species of spiders in the Volgograd region

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3 Jul 16:18, 4 photos

These small representatives of the fauna begin to show activity in the region from May, and end in autumn.

The hot climate of the Volgograd region is not only a certain temperature discomfort for its inhabitants. The lack of heavy rains creates a favorable environment for the appearance of poisonous spiders. Many of the arthropod fauna have successfully migrated from neighboring Kazakhstan. The other day, in social networks, Volgograd residents shared messages that they had met a salpuga in nature, which they had never seen in these places before. Karakurts generally become almost an ordinary phenomenon for local residents, but at the same time no less dangerous. So, in May, a resident of the Novoanninsky district “boasted” that he had discovered a poisonous spider in the courtyard of his house. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The poison of the karakurt is painful and deadly, it is 17 times stronger than the poison of a rattlesnake. As they say, evaluate the odds.

Elena Ivantsova, doctor of agricultural sciences, professor, director of the Institute of Natural Sciences of the Volgograd State University, told Gorodskiy Vesti what spider species dangerous to humans live in the Volgograd region.

– Karakurt is the most dangerous species of spiders for humans, living in hot arid conditions of the Volgograd, Astrakhan regions, Kalmykia, Dagestan and the east of the Rostov region, – says the professor. – Directly on the territory of the city of Volgograd, the population of karakurt was noted from the end of 90s, but is not observed every year, but usually during outbreaks of the species.

The body of poisonous spiders is spherical. The female karakurt is much larger than the male, her body with a span of legs in length is approximately 2. 5 cm, male individuals are much smaller – only 6-7 mm. Four pairs of limbs are located on both sides of the body. Two pairs of middle tarsi covered with hairs. The first and last pairs are distinguished by the greatest length. The color of spiders is distinguished by the presence of red or orange spots of various shapes. Sometimes a white border of each spot is added to the pattern on the body.

– The venom of a female spider can be fatal. After a bite, burning pain after 15-20 minutes spreads to neighboring parts of the body and organs, then, after 20-40 minutes, a burning sensation appears throughout the body, chills, weakness, mental arousal develops. The pulse becomes frequent, breathing is difficult, heart sounds are muffled; blood pressure initially rises. Some patients experience salivation and difficulty swallowing. After 2-3 hours, cramps of the lower and upper extremities appear. Later, nausea, vomiting, tension of the rectus abdominis muscles and constipation, puffiness of the face, swelling of the eyelids and heavy sweat, which is combined with chills, appear. The temperature is subfebrile from the norm to 38 ° C, less often normal or high. When bitten by a karakurt, you must immediately seek help from the nearest medical facility or call an ambulance, warns Elena Ivantsova.

In addition to karakurt, two types of tarantulas are considered dangerous for humans: South Russian and huge. Tarantulas are one of the largest spiders in the Volgograd region, reaching sizes up to 3 cm without legs and up to 6 cm with legs. The development cycle of individuals of both species reaches up to four years; in the first year after birth, spiders lead a wandering lifestyle, and in the second year they build burrows where they hide from predators and wait for prey running past.

Despite the reputation, the danger to humans from tarantulas is greatly exaggerated. The tarantula will in any case prefer to run away or warn with a threatening posture before launching the chelicerae.

– The venom of a tarantula is comparable in strength to that of a wasp, however, the amount of this poison is much greater than that of a wasp, that is, the feeling after a spider bite is comparable to the feeling from a bite of two or three wasps. Two punctures will be visible at the bite site, then swelling and redness of the skin appear, accompanied by burning and itching, and a short-term increase in temperature is possible. People who do not suffer from allergies do not need special treatment, Professor Ivantsova comments.

Help will be to wash the wound surface as soon as possible. Clean running water is suitable for washing, which will avoid infection. You can use soapy water. It is advisable to treat the wound with an antiseptic – hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, if such medicines are at hand. In order to relieve swelling, you can use a cold compress from ice or another product that is in the freezer.

However, if symptoms of an allergic reaction are observed, medical attention should be sought immediately. Otherwise, a severe allergic reaction can be fatal.

Southern Russian tarantula is outwardly distinguished by the following features: body color varies from dark sand to dark brown, almost black. There are 6 pairs of lighter spots on the upper side of the abdomen. The whole body is covered with dense hairs. Legs with numerous spines, which are not very noticeable surrounded by hairs. The underside of the body is intensely black. The abdomen is oval, in size the female is slightly larger than the cephalothorax, and the male is slightly smaller. The legs are of medium length (approximately equal to the length of the body) and thick compared to spiders from other families.

Huge Tarantula – this is the name of another dangerous spider – in size, shape and body proportions it is very similar to the South Russian one, but it differs significantly in color. It varies within shades of grey. On the abdomen there is a rather complex leaf-like pattern. The cephalothorax and legs are colored like those of the South Russian tarantula, but the abdomen is very different. In young animals it is orange and there is a black dot in its center. With age, this point increases in size and, by reaching its maximum size, occupies almost the entire abdomen.