Black Widow Spider Bite
The black widow is a shiny, jet-black spider with long legs
and a red or orange hourglass-shaped marking on its underside. It is about an
inch long, including the legs. Black widow and brown recluse spiders are the
only highly venomous spiders in North America. Black widow bites cause
immediate local pain and swelling. Muscle cramps may also occur for 6 to 24
hours. They rarely cause death (except in younger children or when the victim
is bitten by several spiders).
Call your child's health care provider
IMMEDIATELY in all cases.
- First aid
Put an ice cube on the bite to slow the spread of the venom.
Then go to the nearest emergency room or wherever your health care provider
tells you to go. Antivenin is available for severe bites in young children.
- Prevention
Don't play or work in woodpiles, rock piles, or dark corners
of outdoor buildings without wearing gloves. Spray insecticides in any area
where black widow spiders are seen.
Brown Recluse Spider Bite
The brown recluse is brown, has long legs, and has a dark,
violin-shaped marking on its head. It is about 1/2 inch long, including the
legs. Brown recluse spider bites cause delayed local pain and blister
formation in 4 to 8 hours. The skin damage may require grafting. The bites are
rarely fatal.
Call your child's health care provider
IMMEDIATELY in all cases.
- First aid
Wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water. Bring the
spider with you if possible. (Brown recluse spiders may be hard to
identify.)
- Prevention
Don't play or work in woodpiles, rock piles, or dark corners
of outdoor buildings without wearing gloves.
Bite by a Nondangerous or
Unidentified Spider
More than 50 spiders in the United States can cause local but
nondangerous reactions (for example, golden garden spiders). The bites are
painful and mildly swollen for 1 or 2 days, much like a bee sting. In fact,
spiders are probably responsible for most single, unexplained, tender bites
that occur on children during the night. (Mosquito bites are usually itchy
rather than painful.) Many people are unduly concerned about the tarantula, a
black hairy spider that is 2 to 3 inches long. Its mild venom also causes a
local reaction resembling a bee sting.
Although most spider bites are harmless, an occasional bite
may have been made by a black widow spider. Try to capture the spider (dead or
alive) in a jar and bring it along if your child needs to be seen by a health
care provider. Don't bludgeon the spider beyond recognition.
Call your child's health care
provider:
IMMEDIATELY if:
- Your child has abdominal pain or muscle cramps.
- Your child starts acting very sick.
During office hours if:
- The bite turns into a blister or purple spot.
- Your child develops a sore that doesn't heal.
- You have other questions or concerns.
Scorpion bite
Scorpions belong to the same class (arachnids) as spiders.
They are found in desert areas. About 20 different kinds occur in the
southwestern United States. Scorpions have poisonous stingers on their tails.
Most of the bites cause symptoms similar to those of black widow spiders:
local pain and swelling.
Call your child's health care provider
IMMEDIATELY in all cases.
- First aid
Put an ice cube on the bite to slow the spread of the venom.
Then go to the nearest emergency room or wherever your health care provider
tells you to go.
- Prevention
If you are staying in an area where scorpions live, check
your shoes and clothing before putting them on.
