Not all spider bites are fatal or harmful in nature. They have symptoms the same as a bee sting, including redness, pain, and swelling. Though spiders inject venom into their prey through their fangs to paralyze them, this venom doesn’t act as a toxin in humans in most cases. Thus most bites do not cause any serious symptoms and can be cured by home remedies for spider bites.
Let us have a better look at the cause and effects of spider bites and how to provide spider bite home remedies if bitten by one, what are the symptoms of a venomous or a non-venomous bite, and what to do and what not to do in such cases.
Contents
Reasons For Getting Beaten By A Spider
Spiders avoid human contact as much as we try to avoid them. Yet you can be beaten by a spider in some specific conditions like:
- Stepping on a spider
- Surprising or frightening a spider
- Accidentally laying on one
- Moving your limbs in a spider’s direction
If you are bitten by a spider of a less toxic nature, you must not panic. Spider bite home remedies can minimize your pain and uneasiness and get you back to okay condition fast. If bitten by a toxic arachnid, you can apply the same spider bite home remedy once treated by a doctor.
Non-venomous Spider
Spider bite home remedies depend a lot on the type of spider that has bitten you. Some of the common and non-venomous spiders found are:
- Brown widow spider
- Hobo Spider
- Red-legged widow
- Jumping Spider
- Huntsman Spider
- Garden Spider
- Wolf Spider
- Orb weaving Spider
Most non-venomous spider bites heal on their own without any medical aid. Wash the wound and the surrounding area with soap and water to remove germs and venom from the wound. If itching or irritation persists, place an ice pack or damp cloth on the wound.
Finally, you can use some over-the-counter medicines or ointments to alleviate the pain and suffering. Some of the commonly used ointments for this purpose are:
- Analgesic cream to reduce pain
- Triple antibiotic cream for the blisters
- Antihistamine cream to reduce itching
There are also natural remedies that help relieve irritation and other symptoms. Some of them are:
- Aloe vera gel
- Rose Oil
- Lavender oil
Venomous Spider
However, the spider bite home remedy will change if the spider biting you is venomous in nature. Some of the common venomous spider breeds are:
- Brown recluse spider
- Black widow spider
- Brazilian wandering spider
- Funnel-web spiders
- Redback spiders
If your bite is from the ones topping the chart of harmfulness like a brown recluse or a black widow, immediate medical attention is preferable.
Home remedies for spider bites for a venomous spider involve properly washing the wound first. Then apply ice over it, which will stop the absorption of the spider’s venom in your body. The wound area of the body should be elevated and kept still. Then seek medical attention.
Medical Care For A Spider Bite
If you seek medical care for a bite from a venomous spider, the doctor will provide medication based on the nature and look of the bite. This will also depend on the symptoms in the aftermath of the bite. The symptoms that are concerning and require immediate medical attention are:
- Breathing trouble
- Vomiting and nausea
- Headaches and problems in seeing clearly
- Discharges from the wound
- Muscle pains and heart palpitations
6 Proven Home Remedies For Spider Bites
Other than these, home remedies for spider bites can be provided by several items. These items are generally easy to get and are available in our own houses most of the time. They are:
1. Baking Soda Paste
Baking Soda is used in our houses for several reasons, but its application in being a factor of spider bite home remedies is lesser-known. Make a paste of baking soda and water in a 3:1 ratio and apply it over the wound. Leave it for some time, and then wash off. If this process is done a few times, it will get rid of the pain and irritation of a spider bite.
2. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal acts as one of the perfect home remedies for spider bites as it has the ability to heal a brown recluse spider bite, one of the venomous spiders. Make a paste of equal parts of activated charcoal and water. Apply it to the bite, wrap and leave for a couple of hours. Repeat this to alleviate the symptoms.
3. Salt Solution
It is a well-known spider bite home remedy because of its superior poison-removing capability. Dip a piece of cloth in salt water and leave it on the wound for two to three hours. It will gradually remove the spider’s venom.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera sits quite high on the list of spider bite home remedies because of its ability to treat various skin problems and insect bites. The irritation and itchy sensation from a spider bite is taken care of by the numerous vital components in the aloe vera leaf. Even bites from a black widow or a white-tailed spider are cured by aloe vera gel. Just apply a thick amount of aloe vera gel to the wound.
5. Turmeric Powder
Apply a paste of turmeric powder and olive oil to the bite, leave for an hour and rinse off. Doing this several times will lessen the spider bite symptoms because of the anti-toxic compounds present in turmeric. Hence, turmeric is also a good spider-bite home remedy.
6. Potato
Who knew this tasty vegetable also has its role as one of the spider bite home remedies? Rub a slice of potato with its peel on the bite, place it on the spot, tie with a bandage and replace it after some time. Potatoes have some elements that could reduce the effects of spider bites.
Final Words
Yes, it could be shocking if you get bitten suddenly by an arachnid. But it is suggested to get hold of your nerves and apply these home remedies for spider bites. However, if the spider is a venomous one, getting the right medical attention will certainly cure you.
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