Dangerous U.S. Spider Bites Guide

DANGEROUS U.S. SPIDERBITESGUIDE A BITE IDENTIFICATION A It can be difficult to identify a spider bite by a skin wound alone. Any symptoms or lesions that may appear as a result of a spider bite are more dependent on each individual's reaction, so an image of a specific species of spider bite is a poor diagnostic tool. Often times when people see an image of a brown recluse spider bite, for example, the wound they may see can often be attributed to other skin lesions or infections, including MRSA. Even a physician is doing guesswork when trying to diagnose a spider bite. The only foolproof way is if the spider is captured immediately after or during the bite and identified by an expert. There are very few photographs of true spider bite wounds, so try to monitor your own symptoms and wounds without consulting images. DANGEROUS US SPIDERS BLACKWIDOW ALSO KNOWN AS BITE PAIN LEVEL POSSIBLE BITE TREATMENTS Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans); Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus); Western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus) NONE SEVERE See a doctor? O Emergency Room? d Life Threatening? O May require medication? Wash with H20? O Apply ice? O Apply pressure? Apply bandage? O 10 SKIN DAMAGE LEVEL NONE SEVERE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS The females are jet black, shiny & 1/4 inch long. They have a very distinct, red, ourglass shape on the BITE SYMPTOMS underside of their abdomen. Reactions vary but can include: Immediate pain, burning, swelling Cramping pain & muscle rigidity in many muscle groups Headache Dizziness Rash & itching Restlessness &anxiety Sweating Swelling of the eyelids Nausea &/or vomiting Salivation &/or tearing of the eyes The males are half as large as the females. Wash with soap and water Use both cold & warm compresses REGIONS FOUND Take acetaminophen or an antihistamine to reduce swelling ThrougliosS. *Only it the victim is an enfant or elderly BROWNRECLUSESPIDERS ALSO KKOWN AS • The violin spider (Loxosceles reclusa) BITE PAIN LEVEL POSSIBLE BITE TREATMENTS NONE SEVERE See a doctor? C Emergency Room? O Life Threatening? ® May require medication? O Wash with H20? Apply ice? O Apply pressure? Apply bandage? O SKIN DAMAGE LEVEL NONE SEVERE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Light brown legs &body. 1/4 - 1/2" long Only 6 eyes as opposed to conventional 8 There is a distinct dark brown violin shaped marking on head & thorax. BITE SYMPTOMS Reactions vary, but can include: Severe pain at bite site after about 4 hours Keep area dry Avoid any strenuous activity because this can spread the spider's venom in the skin. Use acetaminophen for pain relief. Severe itching Nausea REGIONS FOUND Vomiting Fever Muscle pain Blistering Death of skin from necrotic venom Seek the help of a physician for: Pain medication Antibiotics for signs of infection Severe destructive lesions with deep wide borders Only 10% of bites result in anything more than a small red mark. Antihistamines for itch relief The doctor may carefully remove dead tissue in areas Central & Southern U.S. CONMON Y MISUNDERSTOOD (NOT DANGEROUS) US SPIDERS HOBOSPIDERS ALSO KNOW AS (Tegenaria agrestis) BITE PAIN LEVEL POSSIBLE BITE TREATMENTS NONE SEVERE See a doctor? Emergency Room? ® Life Threatening? ® May require medication? O Wash with H20? O Apply ice? O Apply pressure? Apply bandage? SKIN DAMAGE LEVEL NONE SEVERE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS This spider is about a 1/4 to 5/8 inches in length. It is brown with a distinct pattern of yellow markings on its back. BITE SYMPTOMS These spiders do not climb but are very fast runners. The bite can go completely unnoticed. Clean the site with Bites have been reported to cause severe headaches that last for several days. soap & water Take acetaminophen or an antihistamine to REGIONS FOUND Often blamed for necrotic wounds, but this is often from other factors. reduce swelling Watch bite closely for signs of infection Northwest part of the U.S. WA, UT & in parts of OD SACSPIDERS ALSO KNOWN AS BITE PAIN LEVEL POSSIBLE BITE TREATMENTS Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthiu inclusum C. mildei) Orange brown to reddish Sac Spider (Trachelas tranquillus) NONE SEVERE See a doctor? Emergency Room? O Life Threatening? May require medication? Wash with H20? d Apply ice? O Apply pressure? Apply bandage? O SKIN DAMAGE LEVEL PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS NONE SEVERE These spiders are often misidentified as brown recluse spiders. They are very small, about 1/4 inch to 3/8 of an inch long & no conspicuous markings but their front legs are longer than the rest of their body & legs. They are very pale & can be yellow, greenish, & tan. BITE SYMPTOMS A stinging sensation is common, similar to a bee sting. Wash with soap and water Take acetaminophen or an antihistamine to reduce swelling REGIONS FOUND Watch bite closely for signs of infection Found throughout USA LARGESPIDERS DINE PAIN LEVEL ALSO UWN AS Wolf Spider Rabidosa rabida (Wa kenaer) (Araneae: Lycosidae POSSIBLE BITE TREATMENTS NONE SEVERE See a doctor? C Emergency Room? ® Life Threatening? 8 May require medication? O Wash with H20? O Apply ice Apply pressure? Apply bandage? O SKIN DAMAGE LEVEL PHYSICAL CHARAC ERISTICS Large spiders, suc as the wolf spider that is commonly found in the United States, look creepy but are mostly harmless. Their bites will be felt, because of their large size, but are not considered to be dangerous. There are close to 300 different species of wolf spider in the US, and about 2,500 worldwide! NONE SEVERE BITE SYMPTOMS Local pain, with mild skin irritation to muscle pain. Should treat as a common spider bite. Wash area with soap & water REGIONS FOUND Take acetaminophen or an antihistamine to reduce swelling Watch bite closely for signs of infection Found throug t USA, includi AK PARSONSPIDERS ALSO KNOWN AS Eastern par an spider (pyllus ecclesiastic BITE PAIN LEVEL POSSIBLE BITE TREATMENTS NONE SEVERE See a doctor? 8 Emergency Room? 0 Life Threatening? ® May require medication? O Wash with H20? O Apply ice? O Apply pressure? Apply bandage? O SKIN DAMAGE LEVEL PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS NONE SEVERE Vary from a brown head to a black or gray thorax. They are a 1/2 inch long & have a distinctive white or pink pattern on their middles & are covered in fine hairs, appear velvety. BITE SYMPTOMS Generally considered to be non-toxic, yet some have allergic reactions to the bites. Wash the bite with soap & water REGIONS FOUND There is a range of severity but localized allergic swelling & itching & initial pain can occur. Take acetaminophen or an antihistamine to reduce swelling Watch bite closely for signs of infection Throughout U.S. There is an Western and Easter Parson spider, divided by Rocky Mountains. Sources squidoo.com; moondragon.org; degaston.org; firstaid.about.com; permatreat.com; spiderzrule.com; biodiversityexplorer.org; ohioline.osu.edu; wn.com; badspiderbites.com; kitchentablemedicine.com; wolfspiders.org; orkin.com; webmd.com; wikipedia.org; truebluesam.blogspot.com; flickrhivemind.net; spiderbitespictures.net Images spiders.us insectimages.org- Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org; Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org Designed by Infoglyphs.com DoMyownPestControl .com