How to Treat a Spider Bite

In our last blog post, we discussed in detail signs that you’ve been bitten by a spider. In this blog post, we’ll dive into how to treat a spider bite in the event you or someone else is bitten. PestLock specializes in residential and commercial spider control services, as well as other pest control services. We help keep you, your loved ones, your employees, and your customers safe when spiders decide to make your space their own. If you need spider control or any other type of pest control services, give us a call. We can help!

HOW TO TREAT A SPIDER BITE

Apply ice.

Ice helps with inflammation and swelling. It can also help to reduce pain. As soon as you notice the spider bite, you’ll want to apply ice quickly. Preferably, you’ll want to leave the ice on the spider bite for about 20 minutes. If the ice gets uncomfortable, you can move the ice pack around to prevent prolonged contact with one area. You can also elevate the area (if the spider bit your arm or leg, for example) to further help reduce swelling. Do not apply ice directly to your skin, since that can cause further damage. Instead, wrap an ice pack in a cloth or towel to protect your skin so you can safely enjoy the anti-inflammatory benefits.

Clean the area with soap and water.

Anytime your skin is punctured, there is a risk for infection, no matter how small. You always want to clean the area thoroughly after a spider bite.

Take an antihistamine.

An antihistamine, as the name states, works against histamine, a natural infection-fighting reaction your body has that helps to promote healing by sending white blood cells to the area. Histamine can cause you to itch, which an antihistamine can help relieve.

Apply an antibiotic ointment.

With a spider bite, you are at risk of a blister developing. A blister can develop any time your skin has been damaged. Basically, fluid collects between your epidermis and the dermis (two layers of your skin). This fluid is actually a protection mechanism, protecting the skin below it from further damage, and it gives your wound time to heal. Antibiotics are used for minor cuts to prevent infection and encourage healing. This can prevent the formation of blisters as the antibiotic works to kill any bacteria that may have entered the wound.

Try a home remedy.

Baking soda can help draw out the venom since it has absorption qualities. You can also try salt, which is known to help with wound healing — it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities that can make your spider bite feel much better. A potato can also offer many of the same effects as salt to help with the itch. Finally, you can try PestLock’s favorite — aloe vera. This plant is indispensable for home remedies and is as close to a miracle plant as they come. It’s a natural antiseptic that can reduce pain, swelling, and itching. Just wash the leaf, cut it to get the gel out from the center of the leaf, and apply.

SIGNS OF SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION

If you think you’ve been bitten by a poisonous spider, such as a Black Widow or a Brown Recluse (the two most likely candidates here in the United States), PestLock recommends that you seek immediate medical attention. You can look for the tell-tale sign of a target or bullseye that will develop around the spider bite. On very rare occasions, the poison of the Brown Recluse spider can kill surrounding tissue. Black Widow spider bites can cause muscle cramps, headaches, and numbness.

INVEST IN SPIDER CONTROL WITH PESTLOCK

While most spiders are harmless and most rarely break the skin, the ones that do manage to inject their venom into your body can hurt and are definitely never fun. Follow the tips above, and then call PestLock for our top-notch spider control services. We’ll do an inspection and then use the most environmentally-friendly methods possible to rid your home or business of spiders once and for all, giving you much needed peace of mind that you, your family, and business clients are safe. Why risk a spider bite? Instead, contact us today to get started!