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Black Widow Spider
Black Widow Spider
Brown Recluse Spider
Brown Recluse Spider
Definition
  • Bite from a spider

Symptoms

  • Bite symptoms include redness, pain, swelling
  • Helpful if spider seen on the skin or in close proximity to the child

Types of Spider Bites

Black Widow Spider Bite

  • A shiny, jet-black spider with long legs (total size 1 inch).
  • A red (or orange) hourglass-shaped marking on its under-side.
  • Causes immediate local mild pain, swelling and occasionally 2 fang marks.
  • Severe muscle cramps (especially abdominal wall cramps) are present by 1 to 6 hours, and last 24 to 48 hours.
  • Rarely causes death (EXCEPTION: bitten by several spiders or small child is bitten)
  • Note: Many are dry bites because the fangs are small.

Brown Recluse Spider Bite

  • A brown spider with long legs (total size 1/2 inch).
  • A dark violin shaped marking on top of its head
  • Causes local pain and delayed blister formation in 4 to 8 hours
  • The center becomes bluish and depressed (crater-like) over 2 to 3 days
  • Skin damage may require skin grafting in 10% of cases.
  • Systemic symptoms such as fever, vomiting, muscle pain can occur (but no life-threatening symptoms).
  • Since brown recluse spiders are hard to identify, bring the spider along in a jar.

Non-dangerous Spider Bites

  • More than 50 spiders in the U.S. have venom and can cause local, nonserious reactions.
  • The bites are painful and mildly swollen for 1 or 2 days (much like a bee sting).
  • Many single, unexplained, tender bites that occur during the night are due to spiders.
If not, see these topics
First Aid:

First Aid Advice for Black Widow Spider Bites: Apply an ice cube or ice pack to the bite for 20 minutes to reduce the spread of the venom (no tourniquet).

First Aid Advice for Shock: Lie down with the feet elevated.

When to Call Your Doctor
Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If
  • Difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • Passed out or too weak to stand
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
  • Your child looks or acts very sick
  • Any black widow spider bite (see FIRST AID)
  • Abdominal pain, chest tightness or other muscle cramps
  • Bite pain is severe
  • Bite looks infected (red streaking from the bite area, yellow drainage). (Note: infection doesn't start until at least 24-48 hours after the bite. Any redness in the first 24 hours is due to venom)
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Bite starts to look bad (e.g., skin damage, blister or purplish - not just swelling)
  • Bite pain persists over 2 days
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
  • You have other questions or concerns
Parent Care at Home If
  • Non-serious spider bite and you don't think your child needs to be seen
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR NON-DANGEROUS SPIDER BITES
  1. Cleansing: Wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water.
  2. Meat Tenderizer: Rub the bite area with a cotton ball soaked in a meat tenderizer solution for 20 minutes (EXCEPTION: avoid if near the eye). Do this once. If not available, apply an ice cube in a wet washcloth for 20 minutes.
  3. Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen as needed for pain.
  4. Expected Course: Some swelling and pain for 1 to 2 days. It shouldn't be any worse than a bee sting.
  5. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Severe bite pain persists over 2 hours after pain medicine
    • Abdominal pains or muscle spasms occur
    • Local pain lasts over 2 days (48 hours)
    • Bite begins to look infected
    • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 1/19/2009

Last Revised: 6/24/2008

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online

Copyright 1994-2009 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.