Spider bites are never a fun time, but most are easy to treat. Many bites will simply ache and be mildly irritated, then fade away by using ointment and an ice pack over a few days. More symptoms can develop, like skin damage and feverish feelings, but these should lessen as the bite heals. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention. However, there are two primary U.S. spider species that are much more dangerous to humans than the rest of the group:
Black Widow – Latrodectus
Possibly the most well-known spider species, the black widow certainly has the look of a deadly creature. The adults are are jet black in color and have the famous hourglass shape on their abdomens. The shape can range in color from red-orange, to crimson, to scarlet. Black widows stay in dark and dry spaces that are covered in some way. The female’s egg sacs are secured to her web, which she will perch on to feel for vibrations from flying insects. If a black widow bites someone who touches her web, the person will experience spreading pain, shaking, nausea, and cramping during the following hours. With proper medical care, a black widow’s bite will go down within days. If it is left untreated, the symptoms will become more serious, but are not always fatal.
Brown Recluse – Loxosceles reclusa
Since hardly anyone would get near this horrifying spider on purpose, it makes sense that brown recluse bites are almost always the result of a surprise attack when the spider is disturbed. Also called the fiddleback spider, this hunter hides in dark spaces near undisturbed building materials and boxes. Their destructive venom paired with a skin-tearing bite makes for a dangerous experience. Common symptoms include escalating pain, fever, and the bite changing colors and eventually becoming an open sore. The untreated bite can spread the infection to surrounding areas of the body. The person can even develop necrosis, the death of surrounding live tissue cells, if the bite is not treated. It is crucial to receive professional medical treatment as soon as possible after the bite occurs.
If you are bitten by either of these dangerous spiders, please seek medical attention immediately. It is not worth the risk to wait on receiving treatment for these bites.