Many people feel great fear and repulsion for spiders, not only for their unique appearance, but also for how painful and dangerous their bite can be, when they feel threatened; and is that, although it is true that there are somewhat harmless species, there are others that are better taken care of, since a spider bite can end up putting health at risk.
In this sense, it is essential to be informed of everything that involves being attacked by these bugs, and that is why today we want to talk about the spider bite, how to identify it, what to do to prevent it and what should be done in case of suffering it , so you can be well prepared if this happens.
How do you know if it is a spider sting?
In general, the spider bite is quite similar to that of any other insect, as is the case of bees, since it produces a mild allergic reaction, characterized by the formation of a small reddened lump on the skin, which can generate pain and itching
While it is true that, for the most part, the bites of these bugs are harmless, there are certain species whose picketing can result in greater complications, such as the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider.
To identify if it is a black widow’s bite, the following symptoms should be taken into account:
- Pain in the area of the bite, which starts minutes after the bite and which can spread to the rest of the body, starting with the back, chest and abdomen.
- Excessive sweating.
- Colic or abdominal stiffness.
Now, in the case of the brown recluse spider bite, this is usually accompanied by the following symptomatology:
- Pain in the area of the bite, which usually increases during the first 8 hours after the bite.
- Fever and chills.
- Body ache.
- Bluish or purple coloration in the center of the bite, which turns into an ulcer and may take months to heal.
How to avoid a spider sting?
It is important to know that most spiders only attack to defend themselves if they feel threatened and, fortunately, there are certain measures that can be applied to keep spiders at bay and thus reduce the risk of being bitten.
- Learn to identify which are the dangerous species and where they commonly inhabit.
- In case of handling firewood, debris and boxes, or cleaning basements, attics or narrow places in the home, use clothes that cover as much skin as possible, such as gloves, shirts with long sleeves and long pants.
- Check gloves, shoes and gardening clothes that have been stored for a long time.
- Apply insect repellent on clothes and shoes.
- Place screens or fabrics on doors and windows to prevent the passage of arachnids, as well as seal cracks and use appropriate insecticides for the interior of the home.
- Remove piles of wood or debris in the vicinity of the home.
- Avoid storing objects under the beds.
- Aspirate the cobwebs and discard them outside the home.
What to do if a spider bites you?
If even having taken the previous forecasts, you turn out to be bitten by a spider, do not hesitate to put into practice the following recommendations to deal with the problem:
- Wash the affected area with plenty of water and neutral soap.
- Place ice or a wet compress on the sting.
- If you have pain, take a special over-the-counter medication for it.
- If you have severe inflammation, consider taking antiallergic medications.
- Consult a doctor if the symptoms are severe.
Home remedies for spider sting
In addition to the recommendations to treat the spider bite that we have already mentioned, there are also some home remedies that may be useful to address the issue.
· Aloe vera
Aloe vera is one of the most practical and effective natural remedies for different types of bite. Take a branch of the plant and cut it in half, applying the gel on the inside over the bite. In this way, you will disinfect the wound, you will calm the pain and the inflammation will disappear.
· Aspirin
Another simple but effective remedy to treat spider bites is aspirin. Take a pill, tritúrala, mix it with water and apply the paste on the bite, every day until the wound has improved.
· Saffron
Take some saffron and mix it with olive oil, applying the resulting paste on the affected area. This will help to soothe the pain and itching, and decrease the redness.
· Sodium bicarbonate
If you have been bitten by a spider, baking soda can be quite useful as a home treatment. Take a bit of baking soda and mix it with water, applying the resulting paste on the affected area and leaving it on for 15 to 20 minutes, repeating every 3 hours until you feel relief.
· Salt
Another of the most practical and accessible remedies to treat spider bites is salt. If you have received a bite from this bichillo, apply a little salt or sodium chloride on the affected area, rubbing in a circular direction, until the redness, pain and itching have diminished.
When to go to the doctor in front of a spider sting?
As we have already said, most spider bites are harmless but, in certain cases, certain complications may arise that warrant medical care and treatment.
So, do not hesitate to seek immediate medical assistance in the following circumstances:
- You do not know if it’s the bite of a poisonous spider.
- You experience intense pain, cramping or abdominal stiffness or you present an ulcer or exaggerated swelling in the area of the bite.
- You feel shortness of breath.
If you have not been vaccinated in the last five years, the medical specialist may apply a reinforcement of the tetanus vaccine, and may also prescribe the appropriate treatment if necessary.
