Spider bites

Contents

• How to avoid spider bites
• What to do for spider bites
• Dr Kate says
• Did you know something else?

	Think of spiders and your imagination can really scare you. Great hairy things with long legs rushing at people like they do in the movies.
	Most spiders are much smaller and don't look really scary. Some of them do bite though. Sometimes they can make someone feel quite ill although this rarely happens.
	Since the use of anti-venom (something which stops the poison from working to make you sick) no-one in Australia has died of a spider bite.

How to avoid spider bites

	Do not play around garbage bins or garden rubbish.
	Get mum or dad to check playhouses or sheds regularly with you before you play in them.
	Wear shoes when you're playing outside.
	Watch out for spiders' webs inside and outside the house. Tell mum or dad so that they can get rid of them.
	If you live in an area where there are funnel web spiders [Eastern Australia], red back spiders, mouse spiders or any poisonous spider which lives in your local area, learn about them and where they like to live, then avoid them.

What to do for spider bites

	For most spider bites use an ice pack to lessen the pain and swelling. (Funnel web spider bites need to be treated differently - more like snake bites.)
	Paracetamol may help if you are in pain.
	Antihistamines could be useful if you are very itchy.
	Ask mum or dad to take you to a doctor if the pain is bad or you feel sick.
	Always go to the doctor quickly if you think that you have been bitten by a poisonous spider (such as a funnel web or redback).
	Tell the doctor what kind of spider bit you or remember what it looked like if you don't know its name.
	If you have a brave mum or dad they might be able to catch the spider in a glass jar and take it with you for the doctor to see. [That's only if you don't know what kind of spider it is and the person bitten is feeling pretty sick or has lots of pain.] It is very important that no-one else is bitten so often people do not try to catch the spider.

Dr Kate says: "Everywhere in the world has something 'bitey' living there. Learn about your local 'dangerous beasties' and how to deal with them. That's a good way to keep yourself safe."

Did you know something else?

Spiders belong to the Arachnid family and are not insects.

We've collected this information to help you to understand important things about staying healthy and happy. However, if you feel sick or unhappy, it is important to tell your mum or dad, a teacher or another grown-up.