From Panic to Recovery: How to Handle a Poisonous Spider Bite

You’re busy tending to the flowers in your garden, enjoying the summer air–but a chill runs through your veins as your eyes land on the giant and ominously-coloured spider lurking near your feet! Quickly, your body releases goosebumps–time to skip the pleasantries and get to panicking!

Moments filled with sheer terror (which seem like hours) quickly pass as you realize that you’ll have to challenge that vile creature to a revised battle of sorts. It’s time to take the ‘harmless until one bite’ scheme into your own hands!

Unless you greet the spider with a set of strict rules–a ”poisonous spider bite code of conduct” if you will–you may be setting yourself up for instantaneous confusion and chaos if you receive one of its legendary bites, unfortunately unjustly.

Aim to arm yourself with essential safety knowledge so you’re prepared for when these nightmarish nightmare theories come to life, going from shock and panic to recovery and relief all in one helpful breath.

Understanding the Symptoms of a Poisonous Spider Bite

Sometimes, things we don’t expect happen to us — like a poisonous spider bite!

But don’t let fear take over – arming yourself with information is always better than living in information.

So, let’s take a closer look at the possible symptoms you may experience if you are bitten.

Ready? Let’s dive right in!

You may feel a burning sensation where the spider bit you and localized swelling around the injury.

Additionally, you may break out into a rash and experience intense itching – which could be worse than the boiling feeling!

Call 9-1-1 right away if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain or a seizure after a bite.

Black widow spiders are found throughout southern Canada. In some cases their bite causes severe symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes: muscle cramps that start near the bite and spread, severe belly, back or chest pain, sweating, nausea or vomiting, or a headache. Get medical help right away if any of these appear.

If you’re not sure how serious a bite is, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, which can connect you with a health professional.

Tips for Immediate Treatment to Reduce Pain and Swelling

Looking for some tips to treat that nasty bite from a poisonous spider right away? We’ve got you covered! Follow these easy steps to reduce the pain and swelling in no time:

First, do not panic. We know, we know, easier said than done! However, yelling and screaming will not help. Take a big deep breath and relax…

Next, put ice or a cold pack on the bite for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, with a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.

Don’t scratch or rub the skin around the bite. An over-the-counter antihistamine, or hydrocortisone 1% cream or calamine lotion, may help with itching, redness and swelling. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

Call a doctor if the bite shows new or worse signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, swelling or pus, or if you get flu-like symptoms such as a fever, muscle aches or chills.

And lastly, don’t try to catch the spider with your hands. If spiders keep turning up indoors, our spider control team can help.

What to Do if You Find a Spider in Your Home

Got spiders in your home? Here’s what to do:

1. Throw your shoes at it! Who needs pest control when you can fight like a true warrior?
2. Yell and scream because who doesn’t love a good show?
3. Pretend you don’t see it and tip-toe ’round it in hopes it won’t see you.
4. Play it cool and capture it using an old margarine container!
5. Open a window or two and hope the spider feels the summer breeze and aims to please and races to its arachnid exit station.
6. If none of the above works, immediately have a pest control crew at your doorstep.

With these 6 handy (and hilarious) methods, you should be armed and ready to keep your home spider-free!

Final Words

You might not have been prepared for what happened, but now that you have more knowledge and some simple solutions, you should feel more confident about handling future spider bites when the unpredictable happens. And remember, if things feel out of control – contact us! We’re always here to lend a hand and put your mind at ease.

This article is general information, not medical advice.