What is spider bites?

Insects that cause mild reactions include:

• Bedbugs.
• Kissing bugs.
• Chiggers.
• Fleas.
• Flies.
• Mites.
• Mosquitoes.
• Nonpoisonous spiders.
• Ticks.
• Scabies.
• Lice.

Some insects are more likely than others to cause allergic or toxic reactions.

• A bee leaves its stinger behind and then dies after stinging. Africanized honeybees, the so-called killer bees, are more aggressive than common honeybees and often attack together in great numbers. Reaction to bee stings can range from minor skin swelling and redness to a serious allergic reaction.
• Wasps, including hornets and yellow jackets, can sting over and over. Yellow jackets cause the greatest number of allergic reactions.
• A fire ant attaches to a person by biting with its jaws. Then, pivoting its head, it stings from its abdomen in a circular pattern at multiple sites.

Bites from spiders usually cause pain, swelling, redness, and itching at the site of the bite. In some people, especially children, the redness and swelling may be worse and last up to a few days.

A few people have severe reactions to the toxin injected by spiders. A toxic reaction occurs when the spider venom acts like a poison in the body. This type of reaction can occur from one bite from a highly toxic spider, or from multiple bites from spiders not normally considered poisonous.

Symptoms of a toxic reaction vary depending on the spider, the toxicity of the venom, and the amount of venom injected. Most often, symptoms improve or go away within 48 hours. Although hives and difficulty breathing may occur in an allergic reaction, these symptoms will not occur in a toxic reaction. It is possible to have both a toxic reaction and an allergic reaction at the same time.

A toxic reaction may require immediate medical care or may lead to death. Signs and symptoms of a toxic reaction may include:

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Weakness.
• Lightheadedness.
• Rapid swelling at the site of the bite or sting.
• Muscle spasms.
• Headache.
• Drowsiness.
• Fainting.

• Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• Try an over-the-counter medicine for itching, redness, swelling, and pain. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • Take an over-the-counter antihistamine to help calm the itching or swelling.
  • Put a hydrocortisone 1% cream or calamine lotion on the skin.
• Don't scratch or rub the skin around the area.