Spider bites and scorpion stings

Spider bites

Most spider bites are not dangerous. They may be painful and cause swelling, but spiders do not transmit diseases, and most are non-venomous, so serious symptoms are very rare. People are bitten by spiders all the time and usually do not even realize it. Most spider bites look like any average insect bite.

There are about 40,000 known species of spiders and only a very few will cause a serious medical problem from a bite. If a spider is venomous, their bite can have serious effects on the body. Most parts of the world are home to a species or two of venomous spider. Identifying these spiders and telling them apart from non-venomous spiders is not easy. The degree of reaction to a venomous spider bite depends on the area of the body bitten, amount of venom injected and the person’s sensitivity to the venom. Attempting to capture a spider that has bitten your child is not likely to be helpful. It may put yourself or others at risk for being bitten, and it is unlikely that medical or emergency services will be able to identify the spider.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a non-venomous spider bite

Typically, symptoms of a spider bite include:

• Pain, itching or burning at the site of the bite which may last for a few hours
• Swelling at the site of the bite
• Small, raised, red bump on the skin

Signs and symptoms of a venomous spider bite

Venomous spider bites are almost never fatal. Call your child's health-care provider or get professional medical attention immediately if:

• Your child develops abdominal pain or muscle pain after a bite
• Your child becomes very sick after a bite with fever, flu-like symptoms or vomiting
• Pain at the bite site lasts for several hours
• The centre of the bite turns dark red, blue, black or purple and then dries out to form a sore

Scorpion stings

Scorpions are usually found in desert areas or in the tropics. They have poisonous stingers on their tails. Most scorpion stings cause local pain and swelling.

Mild signs and symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Numbness and tingling around the sting
• Slight swelling in the area around the sting

More serious signs and symptoms include:

• Restlessness or jerking and twitching of the arms and legs
• Blurred vision, abnormal eye movements, slurred speech, increased salivation
• Breathing difficulties
• Anaphylaxis

If you suspect your child has been bitten by a venomous spider

Cool the site of the bite with ice or cold running water. Gently wash the site with soap and warm water. Monitor your child for more serious symptoms. If serious symptoms appear, seek immediate medical attention.

If your child has been stung by a scorpion

Apply a cold compress to the sting to help reduce pain. Seek medical attention right away.

How to prevent spider bites

Keeping your house clean reduces the number of pests, which are food sources for spiders. Spiders are not aggressive towards humans, and will not usually bite unless they are provoked. Unfortunately, it can be easy to accidentally threaten a spider, especially if you did not know it was there.

How to prevent scorpion stings

If you are in an area where there are scorpions, shake out clothing and shoes before putting them on. If hiking or camping, wear long sleeves and pants and check your sleeping bag for scorpions before you get in.