Spider bites can cause infections in individuals if left untreated. It can also cause skin allergies and other problems which may lead to pain, redness, swelling in the affected area, etc. Some spider species in the USA such as Black Widow, and Brown Recluse are venomous as their bites can result in common signs of nausea, headache, vomiting, fever, etc. However, there are some effective home remedies for spider bites, which can help provide relief to individuals if bitten by a spider.
In this blog, we will explain spider bites, their effects on a person, and home remedies to treat the bite.
What Happens To a Person When Bitten by a Spider?
When a person is bitten by a spider, it may cause problems. For example, it may form a blister, which can lead to swelling, redness, and pain in the affected area. The blister is encircled by a red spot which in turn swells, fills with blood, and then bursts out by itself. The open sore may first form an ulcer and turn into eschar (thick black scar) and produce a large scar.
Some bites from spiders such as Brown Recluse, Black Widow, and Hobo Spiders are more severe than a common spider bite. This may cause problems like pain in muscles which may lead to cramps, difficulty in breathing, and a severe headache. When a person shows these signs, he or she needs immediate medical care from a doctor.
Can Some Spider Bites Be Poisonous?
In the USA, there are nearly 3,500 species of spiders. Also, there are a minimum of 60 species of these spiders in the USA that have caused severe implications after biting people.
However, the two species namely, Black Widow and Brown Recluse are more dangerous. Both the Black Widow and Brown Recluse spider species can cause serious injury if bitten. These species of spiders are so venomous that they can affect people with severe complications like painful muscle spasms, death of tissue in a person’s body, and so on.
In addition, there are other spiders whose bite may insert fatal venom in the person’s body. Their toxins can take a long time to heal and may affect the skin tissues.
Thus, these spiders can become very dangerous and poisonous to people.
Can a Spider Bite Cause Serious Problems in Individuals?
A spider bite can cause serious problems in people, some of these are listed below:
- Sweating
- Anxiety (best therapy for anxiety to cure)
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headache
- Ptosis (Dropping of the eyelid)
- Blepharitis (Swelling of the eyelid)
- Itching
- Skin rash
- Restlessness
- Weakness
- Excessive saliva
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Other related severe problems, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, etc.
In addition, if a person is bitten by a Brown Recluse, he or she may suffer from the problem of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) where the immune system damages the red blood cells (RBCs) in the person’s body.
Sometimes, it may cause severe pain in people, which can lead to other problems such as stomach ache, fatigue, blood disorders, and may develop kidney failure. Some spider bites can cause pain in the joints, which may cause fever, swelling, pain, nausea, vomiting, spasms,s and so on. Hence, it may take weeks or months to heal a severe wound from the bite of a Brown Recluse spider that leaves large scars on the affected areas.
How to Draw Poison Out Of A Spider Bite Home Remedy
Here, we will discuss some effective home remedies that are beneficial for people when treating a spider bite. To heal the wounds caused due to spider bites, mentioned below are the eight best home remedies. These are as follows:
Clean the Affected Area
This is the first and most important step as an effective home remedy, to clean the bitten area with soap and warm water. This can help in clearing away the dust particles, and bacteria and prevent the toxic or poison from entering the skin. Then, slowly pat the affected dry area with a clean cloth.
Doing this step can help in treating people from a spider bite.
Ice Pack
After cleaning the affected area with soap and warm water, then apply an ice pack to the bitten area. Wrap the ice pack in a thin cloth and then apply the ice pack for at least 10 minutes on the bitten area.
Make sure not to put the ice pack directly on the affected area, which may result in skin complications. Repeat this process for a few hours on the first day, then repeat for 2–3 days.
This will help to alleviate pain and reduce swelling in the affected area. Ice pack remedies can be used to treat spider bites in people.
Turmeric Powder
If a person is bitten by a spider, he or she can apply turmeric powder to the bitten area. Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory substances, which help in healing the wounds from a spider bite or a bug bite. It acts as an insect repellent, which can effectively be used to treat the wounds of insect or spider bites.
Mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder with olive oil and then apply the paste on the affected area. Repeat the process of applying the turmeric powder mixture for an hour and several times in a day on the affected area.
So, this home remedy will work as an effective solution and can provide immediate relief from a spider bite.
Aloe vera Gel
This home remedy is known for both anti-inflammatory and natural antioxidant properties, which help in healing the wounds of a spider bite. It also helps in reducing the swelling, itching, and pain and soothes the affected area.
Extract the gel from the aloe vera plant and then massage it with aloe vera gel on the affected area for some time. Repeat this process at least three times a day, and then completely clean the affected area with normal water.
Aloe vera gel may act as a healing substance for insect bites and is the best home remedy in the treatment of a spider bite.
Honey Drop
Honey is also known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which work as the best and most effective home remedy for treating a spider bite.
Apply a small drop of honey to the bitten area and cover it with a bandage. This can help in reducing the inflammation and getting relief from itching or swelling in the affected area.
Thus, this is one of the most effective home remedies when treating a spider bite in people.
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda can be used as a home remedy to treat spider bites in individuals.
Take a small quantity of baking soda and mix it with water to make a paste. Apply the paste for 15 minutes on the bitten area. Then clean the affected area with lukewarm water. It helps in neutralizing the venom and relieving pain.
This home remedy can help in reducing inflammation and alleviating pain as well as itching.
Essential Oils
If a person wants to heal the wounds from a spider bite, he or she can use some essential oils such as chamomile, lavender, cedar, peppermint, neem, or tea tree oils to get immediate relief from a spider bite.
Apply a few drops of any of these essential oils, which have both soothing and anti-inflammatory properties in treating a spider bite.
Pain Reliever Medications
Bitten people can take some over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which helps in reducing pain and swelling in the affected area. These OTC drugs also help in alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. Also, people can take antihistamine drugs, which help get immediate relief from a spider bite.
Conclusion
Most spider bites are venomous and can cause severe complications in people. So, these home remedies may be treated as the best and most effective solutions for getting relief from a spider bite.
A bitten person can also seek medical assistance from a doctor or a health care expert for healing the wounds caused due to spider bites.