Spider Bite Symptoms, Treatments & More

By shirley

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Spider Bites: Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16639-spider-bites.
• 2. 'Spider Bites.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spider-bites/symptoms-causes/syc-20352371.
• 3. 'Default - Stanford Children's Health.' Stanford Children's Health - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=spider-bites-85-P00860.
• 4. 'Black Widow Spider Bite.' Black Widow Spider Bite | Michigan Medicine, www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tm6498spec.
• 5. 'First Aid: Spider Bites (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth.' Edited by Kate M. Cronan, KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, July 2018, kidshealth.org/en/parents/spider-bites-sheet.html.

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Spiders are a familiar sight, both indoors and out. While some people are afraid of these arachnids due to their unusual appearance, most spiders are harmless. They serve a useful purpose since they eat insects that are harmful to crops.

All spiders produce venom, but the fangs of most spiders are too small to pierce the skin of humans. Of the 60 or more species of spiders in the United States implicated in biting humans, there are two that cause bites that may be dangerous for humans: the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider.¹‘Spider Bites: Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16639-spider-bites.

1. Where Do Spiders Live?

Spiders live throughout the United States, often in undisturbed spaces. Black widows and brown recluse spiders prefer warm climates and dwell in dark, dry spaces. Black widows are black with a red hourglass marking on their undersides. They’re present in most of the United States, and people may encounter them in sheds and garages, woodpiles and infrequently used gardening equipment.

The habitat of brown recluse spiders, also called violin spiders, includes the southern and midwestern United States. People may find them under rocks; in tree stumps; and in basements, attics and cupboards. They aren’t aggressive, but they may bite if they feel threatened.²‘Spider Bites.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spider-bites/symptoms-causes/syc-20352371.^,3‘Default - Stanford Children’s Health.’ Stanford Children’s Health - Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=spider-bites-85-P00860.