Spider Bite

Is this your child's symptom?

Most spider bites cause local pain, redness and swelling. It's much like a bee sting reaction.
A few spiders (such as the Black Widow) can cause a more severe reaction.
Helpful if spider seen on the skin or around the child

A shiny, jet-black spider with long legs (total size 1 inch or 25 mm).
A red (or orange) hourglass-shaped marking on its under-side.
Causes immediate local pain and swelling.
Sometimes, you can see 2 fang marks at the bite site.
Severe muscle cramps (especially stomach cramps) occur within 1 to 6 hours. These 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.
The brown widow spider is related to the black widow. It is found in southern US.
Brown widow spider bites are treated the same as black widow bites.

A brown spider with long legs (total size ½ inch or 12 mm).
A dark violin shaped marking on top of its head.
Causes pain at the bite. Blisters form within 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.
Other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, muscle pain can occur. No life-threatening symptoms occur.
Brown recluse spiders are hard to identify. If you can, bring the spider along in a jar.

More than 50 spiders in the U.S. have venom. Their bites cause reactions that are not serious. This includes pain or redness at the bite site.
The bites are painful and swollen. This lasts for 1 or 2 days. They can feel and look like a bee sting.
Some single, unexplained, tender bites that occur during the night are due to spiders.

New redness starts more than 24 hours after the bite. Note: any redness in the first 24 hours is due to venom.
More than 48 hours since the bite and redness now getting larger
Bite starts to look bad (such as skin damage, blister or purple color)
Bite pain lasts more than 2 days
You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

What You Should Know About Spider Bites:
- Most spider bites look and feel like a bee sting.
- The main symptoms are pain and redness.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Clean the Bite:
- Wash the bite well with soap and water.
Cold Pack for Pain:
- For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
- Put it on the bite for 20 minutes.
Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
- Use as needed.
What to Expect:
- The swelling and pain lasts for 1 to 2 days.
- It should not be any worse than a bee sting.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Severe bite pain lasts more than 2 hours after pain medicine
- Stomach pains or muscle cramps occur
- Bite pain lasts more than 2 days (48 hours)
- Bite starts to look infected
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 10/11/2023

Last Revised: 12/30/2022

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