What to do if you suspect you have been bitten by a spider.
How often have you heard someone say they have been bitten by a spider?
Unless you see the actual spider biting you there is no way to know if it is a spider bite or not. People will find a welt, scratch or mark on the skin and immediately believe it’s a spider bite, even go as far as identifying 2 puncture wounds or a specific colour and using that as evidence.
In general spider venom has little effect on people. A few global species are considered medically significant but none of them are found in the UK.
A bite may hurt at first, can itch for several days but if kept clean and dry left to subside without being scratched it will disappear with no lasting ill effects.
Treat all suspected bites as you would any wound – keep it clean and dry and don’t scratch!
Scratching a wound or itchy mosquito bite is an easy way to introduce a secondary bacterial infection which can result in a massive wound. This is then usually blamed on a spider.
- Spiders use their venom to subdue, kill and digest their prey – usually invertebrates
- Spiders are not vectors of any human diseases.
- All spiders produce venom, except one small family, the Uloboridae (hackled orb weavers)
- Spiders do not lay eggs under our skin.
- Spiders do not make nest in/with our hair.
- Spiders are not out to bite humans and would rather avoid us.
- Venom does not persist in the body and the effects of a bite will not recur later.
Allergic Reactions
It’s not very common, but just like with bee stings, some people are allergic to spider bites. As with bee stings you need to watch for swelling in your face or mouth, tightness in your chest or trouble breathing.
Spiders.org.uk 