SPIDER BITE
Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice
Black Widow Spider
- The black widow is shiny and black, with long legs (total width 1 inch). A red (or orange) hourglass-shaped marking may be on its underside (not present in all Lactrodectus species).
Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa)
- Characteristic violin-shaped marking is visible on back
Main Symptoms
- Bite from a spider seen on the skin.
- Onset of bite symptoms (redness, pain, swelling) and a spider is seen in close proximity.
Types of Spider Bites
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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 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.
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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).
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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).
- Most single, unexplained, tender bites that occur during the night are due to spiders.
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.
Pediatric SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP
Reviewed 8/2004
Revised 7/2002
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