Most spiders are poisonous as this is the manner in which they hunt for their prey. The commonly found spiders are too tiny to cause much harm to humans as their content of poison is very little. Only about a hundred of the known 30,000 types of spiders are believed to bite. The most harmful of these are the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. The bites of the black widow spider are more dangerous than those of the brown recluse. It is very difficult to conclude if an individual has a spider bite as generally those that have bitten by a brown recluse spider go in for treatment after a few days. The brown recluse spider bites are very painful and produce severe reactions on the area of the bite. Black widow spider bites can only be detected due to the effects of its venom. There may be no mark of a bite on the skin, however.
Usually a spider bite produces the same symptoms as the bites of other poisonous insects, such as swelling, itching, tenderness, pain and swelling. If the area of the bite starts showing worsening reactions after a day, it is necessary to seek medical treatment. These reactions could include intensifying pain, redness in the surrounding areas of the bite, discharge or discoloration and numbness. The venom of the black widow spider causes muscle spasms and nerve impairment. So if symptoms are experienced in other parts of the body, it is imperative to see a doctor. Bites of the brown recluse may also cause other symptoms such as chills, headache, sweats, abdominal cramps, increased heart rate and fatigue.
There is no first aid technique as such for spider bites. Black widow and brown recluse spider bites require professional medical treatment. There are some remedies that can bring relief from the symptoms of spider bites, until medical treatment is sought. The swelling can be alleviated by applying an ice pack or a cold water compress on the bite. You may also apply a paste of baking soda and water to treat the affected area. If the bite has occurred on the legs or arms, elevating the area will help to restrict further swelling. Hydrogen peroxide works as a good antiseptic for spider bites. The itching and irritation can be reduced by rubbing some crushed basil on the bite. A paste of olive oil and turmeric will also serve to reduce swelling and tenderness caused by the bite.
answered by G M