What You Need To Know About Poisonous Spider Bites

Many people have fear of spiders. This is actually a pretty rational response considering that most spider bites are poisonous. Luckily, our skin protects us, since most spider's fangs are too small and so they cannot fully penetrate the skin. Thus, you might get a simple red mark that itches or burns, but goes away in a couple days. However, some spiders are dangerous. Here are 2 spiders to beware of and how to prevent a bite.

Brown Recluse

A brown recluse is found mostly in the Midwestern states and southern states. These spiders can be identified by their brown color with a black mark on their back. These spiders tend to live in dark places and usually don't bite unless they have been caught off guard or are provoked.

If you are bit by a brown recluse you will first have an itchy, red, painful spot. Then within a couple hours at the site of the bite there will be a white center with red rings around it. Some people have labeled it the "bulls eye" because of the way it looks. At this point you should seek treatment. If you don't get treatment you can get fever, chills and a headache. There is no cure for a brown recluse bite, but immediate treatment can help to lessen the severity of the symptoms.

Black Widow

The black widow is most commonly found in the western and Midwestern states. This spider usually hides under things, such as boxes, leaves or outside under wood. If you come in contact with the black widow, there is a good chance you will be bit. You can tell the black widow by the way it looks. It is totally black, with an hourglass shaped body; however, under the belly is a red mark.

If you have been bit by a black widow you will have the normal red and burning at the site. Additionally, you can get stomach cramping, headache, weakness in the muscles, fever, rigidity and sweating. If you suspect you have been bitten by a black widow, you should seek medical treatment quickly. This is especially the case for young children whose bodies may not be able to handle the poison.

How To Protect Yourself

It is important that you protect yourself from spider bites. One of the best things you can do is get your house sprayed for pests so that the spiders don't nest in the area. If you do notice spiders in the area, call a professional for extermination. (For more information on this topic, hop over to this website)


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