Spider Bites – Identification and Treatment

Spider bites may be one of the most common bug bites which people think they have. Every year, thousands, if not millions of people around the world are bitten by spiders, but not all of those who think they got bitten by a spider have spider bites. Spiders are feared by humans from time immemorial. People have a deep seated fear of spiders and tend to blame any unexplained bug bite on the eight-legged creatures, so how do we identify real spider bites from other bug bites and how are they treated?

Spider Bites – What do Spider Bites Look Like?

Spider bites have a range of looks depending on which specific spider caused the bite. More so, a lot of those thought to be spider bites are actually bites from the two more common bugs, mosquitoes and bed bugs. The only 100% sure way of identifying spider bites is of course to see the spider actually causing the bite. For this reason, it is important to first rule out that a bite is caused by these two creatures before thinking it was caused by a spider.

Spider Bites – Comparison with Bed Bugs and Mosquitoes

	Spider Bite	Bed Bug Bite	Mosquito Bite
How does it look like?	A spider bite can look from a single red dot, to a large dot inside a circular reddish mark, to two puncture wounds depending on the type of spider which caused it.	A bed bug bite usually appears as reddish dots which are patterned in rows. Usually, it is also very red with a raised surface and can cause a welt which may manifest in 1-3 days.	A mosquito bite often causes a reddish bump on the skin and can look pink to reddish in coloration. The mark can last for a day or more for people who are sensitive to it.
How does it feel like?	A spider bite can have a variety of symptoms and manifestations, again depending on the spider which caused it. There are bites which are not felt at the moment of biting and will only become evident after a few minutes, and there are some that feels like a sting or a stab as if coming from a needle.	A bed bug bite feels very itchy and can look very inflamed. Symptoms may last a few days but can be ignored.	A mosquito bite is very itchy and the itchiness can last a few minutes to a few hours for people with sensitivity.
Where is the bite located?	A spider bite can usually be seen on the hands and the arm, as oftentimes, a spider bites when a human disturbs it unknowingly. The bite can also be at the feet and legs and a lot less common, on other exposed parts of the body.	A bed bug bite can manifest in any exposed area of the body, but they do tend to appear more in areas with thinner skin like the neck, face, inner part of the arm, and inner part of the legs.	A mosquito bite can manifest in any exposed area of the body, but they do tend to appear more in areas with thinner skin like the neck, face, inner part of the arm, and inner part of the legs.
Does it need medical attention?	Spider bites may or may not need medical attention depending on which specific spider caused it. In the cases of the black widow, the hobo, and the brown recluse spider, it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention.	Bed bug bites does not need medical attention.	Mosquito bites does not need medical attention unless the mosquito is a carrier of a disease like Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, West Nile virus, Malaria etc.
Other important information	For more information regarding spider bites, see the table below and our other articles about spider bites.	For more information regarding bed bug bites, see our article about the topic.	For more information regarding mosquito bites, see our article about the topic.

 

Being certain that what a person has is not a mosquito bite or a bed bug bite is important and makes identifying spider bites easier and more accurate.

Spider Bites –Identifying Spider Bites by Common Spiders

Once a person is certain that he or she has been bitten by a spider, the next step is to identify what type of spider may have caused it to know what specific spider bite treatment will be needed later.

Spider Bites – Comparison Table of Bites from Common Spiders

	Bite Mark Appearance	Toxicity	Key Manifestations
Black Widow Spider	A black widow bite usually is simply a red dot or a red spot. Fang marks might be visible on some cases.	Toxic bite which can be very fatal. Immediate medical attention is advised.	A black widow bite is described as very painful. The pain is very intense and immediate and is oftentimes accompanied by muscle cramping that lasts for days up to a few weeks. The elderly and the young are very vulnerable to the venom more so if they start manifesting nausea, and fever.
Brown Recluse Spider	A brown recluse spider bite can be easily identified by its bull’s eye appearance. There is a red dot in the center of a ring of red. After a few days, tissue around the area will change in color and will become darker together with the formation of a lesion which over time becomes an eschar, a leathery dark piece of skin which oftentimes needs surgery to be removed. More information about the brown recluse spider bite can be seen on our article about the bite of the brown recluse.	Toxic bite which can cause severe complications. Immediate medical attention is advised.	A brown recluse spider bite feels like a sting and will intensify within a few hours. The pain can also be described as a burning pain.
Hobo Spider	A hobo spider bite is oftentimes mistaken as a bite from a brown recluse, mainly because they both have the bull’s eye appearance of the bite itself. More information about the hobo spider bite can be seen on our article about the bite of the hobo spider.	Toxic bite which can cause complications. Immediate medical attention is advised.	A hobo spider bite is characterized by numbness along with muscle ache.
Wolf Spider	A wolf spider bite has fang marks on it, making it look severe, particularly if the fang marks are large enough to cause obvious skin tear. More information about the wolf spider bite can be seen on our article about the bite of the wolf spider.	Venomous but non-toxic bite. Can be managed at home with simple spider bite first aid.	A wolf spider bite can cause swelling and pain. Lymph nodes may show swelling and is a sign that the body is fighting off the spider’s venom.

 

After identifying what kind of spider bite a person has, it is now time to know the next step, which is: How to treat a spider bite?

Spider Bites – Spider Bite Treatment

Spider bites, first and foremost, should be given first aid as soon as it is identified. The following are the steps on how to treat a spider bite:

Spider Bite Treatment

1. Spider bites need to be identified first as really a bite from a spider.

2. Elevate the part of the body bitten by a spider to see it better and to minimize the spread of the venom. Nearly all spider bites have venom that has been injected inside the bitten area.

3. Identify if the spider bite is from the hobo spider, the brown recluse, or the black widow. If so, seek immediate medical attention; but if not, proceed with the next steps.

4. If the bite is very new, wash it with mild soap and water or use an antibiotic cream to prevent it from getting infected.

5. Spider bites can trigger a reaction other than pain and swelling. Take note of and monitor the symptoms experienced. Antihistamines may be taken to minimize itching and acetaminophen may be taken to minimize the pain.

6. If symptoms worsen or goes beyond pain and swelling, immediately seek medical attention. Anything beyond pain, swelling and itchiness can be a complication of spider bites and must be taken seriously.

Spider bites may be just simple bug bites or can be something more serious and be potentially fatal. With that in mind, it is important to arm one’s self with knowledge about spider bites plus how to identify and how to treat spider bites.

Spider Bites – Identification and Treatment

Insect Bites – Identification, Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Guide

Insect bites are one of the most common and irritating things which has plagued mankind since the dawn of time. Since insects comprise the majority of all living organisms, it is nearly impossible to avoid them and their bites. An insect will bite for two main reasons, to feed or to defend itself. No matter what reason the insect has for taking a bite, their bites can cause skin problems to humans and animals. In some cases, insect bites can even carry diseases which can be very harmful or even fatal to both humans and animals.

Insect Bites – Identification

Identification of insect bites vary greatly depending on what specific insect caused the bite. For a lot of cases, the bites are undetectable or does not cause any problem. For larger insects with large chelicerae or mouth part, skin tear and pain plus bleeding might be present. For insects with stingers and venom, their bite might be more obvious because of the signs and symptoms which follows after a bite. It is best to note too that spider bites are not generally categorized as an insect bite.

Insect Bites – Signs and Symptoms

Insect bites cause some signs and symptoms because of the venom that some insects have. Once injected on the skin of the bitten human or animal, the venom will cause signs and symptoms ranging from local skin reaction to allergic reaction. In some cases, as in the case of disease carrying insects, their bites can cause transmission of diseases.

Local Reaction Signs and Symptoms	Mild Reaction Signs and Symptoms	Severe Reaction Signs and Symptoms
Rashes Swelling of the bitten area Itchiness in the area of the bite Local infection generally from scratching the bitten area. Inflammation reaction if the bite broke the skin visibly.	Pain (tolerable pain) Itchiness Rashes Swelling Mild Fever resulting from infection of the bitten area Swelling of fingers of the extremity nearest the bitten area Swollen lymph nodes Cramps	Difficulty of breathing Circulatory collapse or shock High fever Shaking Nausea Swelling of the face Cramps Vomiting Teary eyes Abdominal pain Confusion Rapid heartbeat or palpitations Dizziness Swelling of the lips, and throat Other signs and symptoms of allergic reaction

Insect Bites – First Aid and Treatment

Although the best treatment for any bite is still prevention of the bite, in which case insect traps and control would be a great thing to have, still, bites do happen. Knowing how to deal with the bite is important to prevent further aggravation of the signs and symptoms.

Insect Bites First Aid and Treatment Guide

Insect with Biting Mouthparts	Insects with Venom	Insect with Sting
Insects with biting mouth parts can cause very visible skin tears. 1. The primary thing to do is to clean the area with mild soap and water. 2. Observe the bitten area for what type of reaction it will cause. Local and mild reaction (see table above) can be treated at home. Keeping the bitten area clean until fully healed and observation of signs and symptoms are usually all that is needed.	Insects with venom typically cause an immediate reaction which is very visible. The bitten area would most often have a puncture wound or two puncture wounds through which the venom was injected. 1. Clean the area with mild soap and water. 2. Observe the bitten area for the effect of the venom. Insects with venom causes mild to severe reaction (see table above). Mild reactions can be treated at home but any sign of severe reaction should immediately receive medical attention.	Bees and Wasps are some of the insects which has stingers. With these insects, the stinger is typically left attached to the skin of the stung individual. The following measures should be done: 1. Take the stinger off by scraping it away from the skin with the use of a credit card, or paper. Avoid squishing the stinger to avoid injecting more venom unto the skin. Do not use a tweezer. 2. Observe the stung area. Stings can cause mild to severe reaction to insect bites (see table above). Mild reactions can benefit from home treatment but anything more than local and mild reaction should be brought to the attention of a medical professional.

Treatment for severe reaction to insect bites should always be prompt medical attention. Do not attempt to treat a severe reaction without a doctor’s supervision. Severe reaction to insect bites may be life threatening and should be taken seriously.

Insect Bites – Bites of Wisdom

Dealing with insect bites is something that everyone should have some knowledge of since they are one of the most common organisms that we share this planet with. Any insect bite should be observed for the type of reaction it causes and the proper treatment be given to prevent complications resulting from insect bites.

Insect Bites – Identification, Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Guide