Spider bites
spider; bite; bites; redback; red; back; hntsman; house; spiders; funnel; web; funnelweb; mouse; white tail; tailed; venom;
Contents
There are many different types of spiders in Australia, and some of them can be dangerous. First aid treatment for spider bites is different for different spiders.
Funnel
web and mouse spiders
- Funnel web spiders bites (Eastern Australia) can be lethal, but their bites are mostly minor.
- For funnel web and mouse spider bites, immediate medical attention is important.
- In significant bites, the effects on the body may start quickly, with tingling of the lips and twitching of the tongue.
- Place a firm pressure bandage over the bite area, then down the limb, then up again to the groin or armpit.
- Use a splint to prevent movement. These will help prevent the poison from spreading.
- The person who has been bitten should be transported to the nearest medical centre as quickly and as 'passively' as possible (passively means that the bitten person should make as few movements as possible - ie be carried if possible).
- Do not use tourniquets, cut or suck, or apply any chemicals on the wound.
- If the spider can be safely caught you could do this - but it is very important to make sure that the person who is bitten is not bitten again and that no-one else is bitten.
- Since the use of anti-venom, no one in Australia has died of a funnel web spider bite.
- For more information have a look at the Toxinology site about Sydney Funnel Web Spiders and other types of funnel web spiders.
Red back spiders
- Red back spider bites are common. They rarely cause death or serious problems, but they may cause pain, muscle weakness, feeling faint and unwell.
- They may cause damage to the skin around the bite site.
- Make sure that the patient and other people are not at risk of being bitten again.
- The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way.
- Take the person to a doctor as soon as possible in case anti venom is needed (it is not needed for most people). Mostly the person will be observed with no treatment needed.
- For red back bites, first aid is to apply an icepack to lessen the pain.
- Do not apply a pressure bandage.
- Keep the person as quiet as possible.
- For more information have a look at the Toxinology site about Red back spiders.
- White-tailed spiders are common. Bites are fairly frequent because spiders are found in homes, especially in clothing or shoes left on the floor.
- Their bites are not dangerous.
- There may be stinging, then an itchy lump. Use an ice pack for the pain if needed and see a doctor if symptoms persist.
- These spiders used to be thought to cause ulcers at the site of the bite. This is now known to be untrue.
- White-tailed spider bites probably do not cause much reaction for most people.
- For more information have a look at the Toxinology site about White-tailed spiders.
House spiders
- Brown and black house spiders will bite occasionally. Their bites may cause local pain and swelling, which is relieved by an ice pack. Occasionally there can be skin problems around the bite, which take some time to heal.
- Ice packs, antihistamines and paracetamol for pain may help.
Huntsman spiders
- These spiders come into houses especially in summer. They are usually timid.
- Bites cause pain around the bite and occasionally headache and vomiting.
If any reactions happen away from the site of the bite with any spider bite, see your doctor. Take the spider if possible (in a closed see-through container) - but it is more important to make sure that no-one else is bitten through trying to catch the spider.
References
Clinical Toxinology, Women's and Children's Hospital and University of Adelaide, South Australia
http://www.toxinology.com/index.cfm
Hawdon G, Sutherland S, & Winkel K, 'Australian spider bites', Australian Doctor, 9 July, 1999, i-viii.
Nimorakiotakis B, Winkel KD 'Spider bite - the red back spider and its relatives' Australian Family Physician Vol 33, No 3 March 2004, p153-157.
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.