Sometimes spider bites can cause serious complications, and the patient must be taken to the hospital. However, the reactions are mild in most cases and can be treated with some home remedies. You can apply any of the remedies mentioned in this article to treat the mild reactions to spider or bug bites. Check them out. Very few known species of spiders are poisonous and can cause harm to humans. The most well known of these species are the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. Spider bites that are slightly more serious can cause redness, itching, and swelling. However, if you are bitten by a black widow spider, you will experience abdominal cramps. Brown recluse spider bites cause a sharp pain. If you have a severe bite, the skin around the bite will slowly turn purple, and blisters may appear.
What Does A Spider Bite Look Like?
Typically, you won’t notice a spider bite until a few hours after being bitten. It becomes easier to treat a spider bite if you can identify the spider that bit you. You can identify a spider bite on your skin if you see any of these:
Inflammation or swelling Red rashes
Inhabiting areas where spiders are naturally found (especially dark places, including areas under rocks) can put you at a greater risk of spider bites. In the following section, we will look at the symptoms of a spider bite.
Symptoms Of Spider Bites
Spider bites are characterized by:
Red rashes Itching Muscular pain accompanied by cramps Excessive sweating Breathing difficulties Nausea Fever Confusion Restlessness
Spider bites take a longer time to heal as compared to other insect bites. It is essential to keep the bite clean to reduce the risk of infection.
What To Do If A Spider Bites You?
It is always easier to treat a spider bite if you know the type of spider that caused it. Once you identify the bite, you must try to reduce the pain by applying a cold compress to it. You must rush to the hospital if the bite is accompanied by symptoms like nausea, cramping, and difficulty in breathing. Let us now look into the steps taken by medical professionals to treat spider bite.
Medical Treatment
In case you need to seek medical intervention to treat the spider bite, your doctor will take the following steps:
They will clean the wound with soap and water. The doctor will observe the wound for potential infection. After cleaning the wound, the doctor will apply an antiseptic ointment. A tetanus booster may also be recommended if you haven’t had it in the last five years. They may prescribe antibiotics to fight infection.
If the bite is mild, you can try treating it at home. The following remedies can help.
How To Treat Spider Bites At Home
1. Cold Compress Or Ice Pack
Spider bites cause swelling and pain. Ice can work as an analgesic, and the cold pack might help reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area (2).
A cold compress or ice pack A bowl of water
Repeat as needed until the pain subsides.
2. Aloe Vera Gel
Research shows that aloe vera exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties (3). This may help reduce the swelling and the infection related to spider bites. 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel Do this 2 times daily.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a commonly used natural solution for itchiness and inflammation (4), (5). It can also be used to prevent further infection that may surface with a spider bite.
1 teaspoon of baking powder Water (as required)
You can do this once daily until the redness and itching subside.
4. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel contains tannins, which are bioactive ingredients that possess anti-inflammatory properties (6). Thus, it could be used to manage the inflammation caused by the spider bite.
Witch hazel extract Sterile cotton ball or Q-tip
You may apply this to the affected area 3-4 times daily until the swelling reduces.
5. Essential Oils
(a) Lavender Oil
Lavender oil possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (7), (8). This can help in reducing the swelling and pain around the spider bite.
A sterile cotton ball or gauze 2-3 drops of lavender oil A few drops of a carrier oil (coconut oil)
You may use this remedy 3-4 times daily.
b) Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil has anti-inflammatory properties (9). This can help reduce the swelling caused by the spider bite and promote faster healing.
A sterile cotton ball or gauze 2-3 drops of chamomile oil A few drops of a carrier oil (coconut oil)
You can repeat this remedy 3-4 times daily.
6. Potato Poultice
Potato exhibits anti-inflammatory properties (11). Hence, it may help reduce inflammation that surfaces with a spider bite.
A sterile gauze 2-3 potatoes
You can repeat this remedy 1-2 times daily. Spider bites are most likely to happen if you go on a trek or travel to heavily forested areas. Treating mild spider bites could be easy, but prevention is always better.
How To Prevent Spider Bites
If you are in a wooded area, make sure that you are wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and gloves. Spray insect repellants on your trekking clothes. If you are at home, make sure that you clear out the cobwebs thoroughly.
Can I put Neosporin on a spider bite? Yes, you may put Neosporin on a spider bite after cleaning and gently drying the affected area. Neosporin is an over-the-counter topical antibiotic that may help eliminate the bacteria in the bite site. Should you squeeze the pus out of a spider bite? No, the pus on the site of a spider bite may indicate an infection and the need for medical attention. What does a healing spider bite look like? The appearance of a healing spider bite varies greatly, depending on which spider has caused the bite and how serious the bite is.
