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What happens from a spider bite. Bites of various types of spiders. Be careful! Black widow, tarantula, steatoda, tarantula, Sak, Brazilian wanderer and other poisonous spider species - photo gallery

A spider bite is an unpleasant event that can overshadow the lives of many of us: summer residents and gardeners, lovers of picking mushrooms and berries in the forests, fans of picnics and active rest Outdoors. The season of such incidents usually falls on spring and summer months, and everyone should know how to prevent a spider attack or help the victim.

Today, scientists know about the existence of about 40 thousand varieties of these arthropods. However, only certain types of spiders are dangerous to humans. Severe poisoning is usually caused by the bites of karakurt and brown spiders (for example, brown hermit). The most deadly is the vinegar of the female karakurt, which is called the "black widow". Brown spiders live in the Central, Western, Middle and Southern parts of the United States of America. In addition, such dangerous arthropods are often brought by tourists along with luggage from different countries.

The venoms of a number of spiders have already been well studied. The main importance in assessing the danger of bites are usually those substances that can provoke the development of neurotoxic reactions and necrosis. For example, the action of a peptide (the most poisonous component of the karakurt poison), which is capable of disrupting the transmission of neuromuscular impulses, is very dangerous.

Usually spiders live in those places in which a person is a rare guest. They hide in pantries, sheds, in hay, in last year's dry grass, under a layer of dry leaves, earth, etc. As a rule, a spider bite is not an attack. Such an action is a protective reaction of the arthropod. For a person, the greatest danger in such an incident is the toxicity of the poison, which can provoke the development of allergic and toxic reactions, necrosis and infection of the bitten wound.

Is every spider poisonous?

In fact, every spider is poisonous. But not every poison is dangerous to humans.

Basically, every spider has venom. After all, all these arthropods are predators and poison for them is a weapon with which they kill the victim. However, only some varieties of spiders are poisonous to humans. The bite of this arthropod for us can be simply unpleasant or life-threatening.

Almost all spiders have venom-producing glands. Conventionally, spider venoms are divided:

  • on neurotoxic - substances that can paralyze the nervous system;
  • hemolytic - components of such poisonous substances cause damage or destruction of blood elements - red blood cells.

More often among poisonous spiders there are arthropods that secrete neurotoxins. Those spiders that are small in size are not dangerous to humans. This point is explained by the fact that they are simply not able to bite through the skin of an animal or person. Even if they can do this, the dose of poison released is very small and is not capable of provoking any problems. Poisonous spiders of larger sizes are always dangerous for humans, and the bite of such arthropods should always be a reason to immediately help the victim and seek medical attention.

What are the manifestations of a spider bite?

A spider bite is felt and visualized as follows:

  • at the moment of a bite, a person either does not feel anything, or the feeling that arises is similar to a prick with a thin needle;
  • at the site of the skin puncture, a small white spot is formed (no more than a coin of 5 kopecks) with pinkish or red edges;
  • after 5-20 minutes, the victim has the first symptoms of exposure to the poison (muscle pain, swelling or redness of the face, convulsions, etc.).

Depending on the type of spider, the bite may look like this:

  1. Karakurt. The bite of this spider is usually invisible to the eye. It is accompanied by sensations that are similar to those of a mosquito or flea bite. Sometimes a small red spot appears on the body of the victim, disappearing literally before our eyes.
  2. Brown hermit spider. A blister appears on the skin with a white, red, or bluish-purple border. Sometimes such a bite is called a "target" or "bull's eye", so the appearance of such bites is similar to these images. Over time, the emerging bubble increases in volume and opens. A wound surface in the form of an ulcer remains at the site of the bite.
  3. Tarantula. A spherical swelling appears on the body. The skin around such a formation swells like a blister and becomes pale with a reddish outline. An hour later, the bubble opens and a wound appears at the site of the bite. If such a wound surface is not treated, then an eroded wound appears on the skin.

Symptoms

The manifestations of spider bites are varied, and their nature and severity depends on which particular arthropod introduced the poison into the body. Even if a person is not sure that it was the spider that bit him, then he should consult a doctor to clarify the condition - the doctor will be able to differentiate the bite of this arthropod from the bites of other insects.

The following symptoms require a mandatory visit to a specialist:

  • a bluish interspersed or purple area appears in the bite zone, bordered by a white and red ring (this symptom is called "red - white - blue" by toxicologists and its presence indicates the bite of a very poisonous brown hermit spider);
  • a rash appears on the skin;
  • numbness occurs in the bite area, and the skin thickens (such manifestations are characteristic of a tarantula bite);
  • muscle spasms or cramps in the limbs;
  • increasing headache and a sharp development of fever with manifestations of myalgia and arthralgia;
  • pain in the right hypochondrium (usually occurs when bitten by a karakurt);
  • uncharacteristic color of urine (usually reddish or pink).

Manifestations of a bite of a brown spider

Such bites usually occur in the US. In some cases, the victim feels severe pain that spreads to the entire limb and develops over half an hour or an hour. At the site of the bite of the skin, erythema occurs, a hemorrhage up to 3 mm in diameter (ecchymosis), in some people it appears, which in some cases can spread throughout the body.

In the area of ​​ecchymosis, a bubble often appears ("target" or "bull's eye"). Also, the area of ​​damage may resemble the symptoms of gangrenous. Later, the bubble increases in volume, fills with blood and opens, exposing an ulcer on the skin. Subsequently, a black scab forms on this wound surface, which is rejected over time. After most bites, a scar remains on the body of the victim, but in a number of clinical cases, when muscle tissue is not involved in the pathological process, such consequences do not occur.

Sometimes 24-72 hours after the bite, the victim develops a systemic syndrome provoked by the penetration of the poison into the body, manifested by such signs:

  • fever;
  • rash;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • chills;
  • convulsions;
  • pain in the joints and muscles;
  • thrombocytopenia;
  • hemolysis;

Manifestations of a bite of a female karakurt (black widow)


The most dangerous for a person is the bite of a female karakurt, which is popularly called a black widow.

It is the bite of the black widow that is considered deadly and most dangerous. After such an incident, the wound on the human body remains almost invisible, and the bite of the skin itself feels like light prick needle. The main insidiousness of such a bite is that its first manifestations do not occur immediately, but after a few hours.

After about 1-2 hours, the victim has a feeling of local pain. It can be sharp or dull. Redness occurs at the site of the bite. After that, the manifestations of the systemic syndrome caused by the neurotoxic poison gradually increase:

  • sweating;
  • general weakness;
  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • anxiety;
  • excitation;
  • increased salivation;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • swelling of the eyelids;
  • ptosis;
  • widespread rash;
  • increased skin temperature in the bite area;
  • swelling of the hands and feet;
  • pain and spasms in the muscles of the chest, back, abdomen and shoulders.

Abdominal pain may be similar to an attack.

by the most effective method neutralization of the action of the poison of this spider is the introduction of a special serum. However, unfortunately, it is not always available in the first hours after the incident.

After 1-3 days, the manifestations of poisoning gradually subside. However, after a bite of a karakurt, a person may experience residual symptoms such as weakness, anxiety, and convulsions for a long time. These manifestations may disturb the victim for several months or weeks.

Fatal outcomes after the bite of a black widow are very rare.


Symptoms of a tarantula bite

Usually, stories about bites from this spider greatly exaggerate the essence of the problem. Fatal outcomes after such incidents are extremely rare, and the poison causes death only in cases where the victim has other pathologies of the internal organs.

Tarantula bites are rare. After biting the skin, the victim feels pain and burning. When bitten, a spider can shed needle-like hairs, which, after entering the tissues of the skin or eyeballs, can provoke degranulation of mast cells and a pseudo-allergic reaction in the form of bronchospasm or arterial hypotension.

The victim develops swelling in the bite area and a small rash may occur. If a person is bitten by a large spider, then there is a pronounced weakness, headache, fever, paresthesia. Usually, the manifestations of a tarantula bite disappear after 3-5 days.

Death after being bitten by a tarantula is extremely rare. Usually it is provoked, arising in response to exposure to toxins.

Manifestations of a spider bite

Such bites are not uncommon, as the cross-spider lives everywhere. On the body of this arthropod there is a characteristic mark, thanks to which it got its name. The color of the spider may vary depending on the habitat.

Spider spider bites are dangerous for many animals, as its venom contains a substance that causes the destruction of red blood cells. To a greater extent, this toxic substance is dangerous for small animals, and large dogs, horses, cattle and sheep remain resistant.

If a spider-cross bites a person, then such an incident is not life-threatening. Due to exposure to poison, the victim may experience:

  • headache;
  • burning at the site of the bite of the skin;
  • aches and pains in the joints.

The poison is quickly excreted from the human body, but swelling in the bite area can persist for several days.


Manifestations of a tarantula bite

The poison of this arthropod is also not dangerous to human life. IN last years there is a new fashion trend for keeping such pets, but all the bitten owners remained healthy after the bites. As a rule, they go to the doctor to a greater extent to prevent possible complications, since not everyone knows about the safety of their pet.

Tarantulas are dangerous to their prey in nature - lizards, frogs and other small animals. Such an arthropod usually bites a person in the so-called dry way and does not release poison into the bitten skin. The relative danger to the owner in such cases is the possible infection of the bite area with bacteria. To prevent such complications, it is enough to treat the wound with an antiseptic solution and apply a protective bandage.

Manifestations of a bite of a house spider

Domestic spiders are brown, black, gray, etc. Most often, a person has to deal with black ones - Badumna insignis. They can live both outside and inside the house (in the cracks of logs or trees, walls, on window frames, etc.). They rarely bite humans.

After a bite by a domestic spider, the affected area begins to hurt, but the pain is not intense. The skin may be slightly swollen. It is extremely rare for the victim to experience manifestations of intoxication:

  • dizziness,
  • fever,
  • nausea.

To alleviate the condition of the victim, it is enough to apply cold to the bite site. As a rule, after 24 hours, all the effects of the bite completely disappear.

Manifestations of a bite of a brown recluse spider

The bites of these arthropods are very dangerous for human life and health. Hermit spiders live mainly in the USA and Australia (they were brought to this continent from the USA along with cargoes). You can recognize the arthropod by the characteristic pattern on the back - its outlines resemble a violin. Their sizes are small and often a person does not even always see a spider. In the house, they usually live in the crevices of floors and walls, in boxes and furniture.

The very moment of the bite does not cause pain and remains invisible. The first signs of damage to such arthropods occur only after 48 hours, that is, when the poison has already spread throughout the body. Swelling, severe itching and induration appear in the bite area. Then a visible tumor appears on the body, the tissues ulcerate and begin to undergo necrosis.

Ulcers that appear after a bite are difficult to treat and heal for a long time, as even the deep layers of the skin die off. In addition, the venom of the recluse spider provokes the following common flu-like symptoms of poisoning:

  • fever;
  • pain in the joints;
  • general weakness;
  • cough;
  • runny nose.

With severe intoxication, which develops in some victims, the functioning of the heart and kidneys may be impaired. Such a complicated course of a bite can lead to death.

Complications after spider bites

The most dangerous manifestations of spider bites are:

  • arachnosis - manifestations of rapidly developing tissue necrosis (skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue and other soft tissues);
  • systemic syndrome - accompanied by the onset of fever, pain in the joints and muscles, a sharp decrease in pressure, convulsions, hemolysis and heart failure;
  • DIC is manifested by disseminated intravascular coagulation due to hypercoagulability of platelets.

Summarizing all the manifestations of spider bites, we can divide all their consequences into 3 groups.

The most dangerous and alarming symptoms of spider bites are the following manifestations:

  • sharp pains that cover the whole body;
  • rapidly increasing swelling of the affected area, accompanied by a strong compaction of tissues;
  • indomitable diarrhea and other signs of damage to the digestive system;
  • constant feelings of weakness, drowsiness due to a pronounced decrease in blood pressure;
  • signs of kidney failure.

Within a week after the bite, the victim may have the following effects of the bite:

  • pain, swelling, itching, redness and swelling of the bite area;
  • digestive disorders;
  • general weakness and drowsiness;
  • transient seizures.

The following symptoms are considered harmless and do not pose a threat:

  • non-intense pain;
  • skin redness;
  • slight swelling.

Diagnostics

Often, the victims themselves in vain suspect the bite of a spider. Diagnosis of such lesions is usually based on the analysis of the data of the patient's complaints, the story of the fact of the bite, which he could see with his own eyes, and the symptoms that arise.

To exclude an erroneous diagnosis, a spider bite is differentiated with the following conditions:

  • bites of fleas, beetles, ticks, flies;
  • skin lesions: chronic herpes, toxic epidermal necrolysis, etc.;
  • infections: septic embolism, widespread, etc.;
  • trauma;

Sometimes severe manifestations of the systemic syndrome are similar to those of tetanus and appendicitis.

First aid to the victim


To prevent infection of the bite site, rinse it well running water with soap.
  1. If the manifestations of the bite cause concern and are assessed as severe, then you should immediately call an ambulance or ensure that the patient is quickly transported to a medical facility. Particular concern should arise if the victim's condition deteriorates rapidly or a child under 16 years of age has been bitten. Remember! Bites of a karakurt or hermit spider require the introduction of a special serum. It is administered only by healthcare professionals after performing skin tests and fractional sensitization.
  2. Wash the bite site with soap and water to prevent infection of the wound.
  3. Immobilize the affected limb to prevent the spread of poison.
  4. If a leg or arm is bitten, then apply an elastic bandage or other material above the bite site that can provide pinching of the limb. In this way, the spread of spider venom throughout the body can be slowed down. It should be remembered that the bandage should not be excessively tight - the blood supply to the limb should not be disturbed.
  5. Apply cold to the bite site (it is better to use an ice pack, if it is not available, then you can apply a cloth soaked in cold water, a bottle of cold water etc.). When using ice, do not forget about possible frostbite and place it only at a distance of 10 mm from the skin.
  6. Provide the victim with a large volume of liquid, which will accelerate the removal of the poison from the body.
  7. If fever and headache occur, give the patient Paracetamol.
  8. To ease allergic manifestations, give the victim one of the following: Suprastin, Loratadin, Allergostop, Claritin or Agistam.

Treatment

In severe cases, after the arrival of doctors, the victim of a spider bite with signs of kidney or heart failure is administered (usually intravenously) respiratory analeptics, cardiac drugs, glucocorticosteroids and muscle relaxants. To detoxify the body, infusion therapy is performed - the patient is dripped saline solutions and glucose. Tissues affected by necrosis (after being bitten by a hermit spider) are processed and removed. After that, the victim is prescribed treatment.

The treatment plan for spider bites is approximately the same for all varieties of arthropods:

  • wound sanitation;
  • anesthesia;
  • immobilization of the limb and giving it an elevated position;
  • administration of a tetanus vaccine to prevent tetanus;
  • dynamic monitoring of the patient.

All of the above measures can eliminate most of the local manifestations of bites.

For the treatment of ulcers, the patient may be prescribed ointments based on antibiotics (Bacitracin + Neomycin, Polymyxin B, etc.). In addition, antihistamines, local glucocorticosteroids (Gyoksizon, Prednisolone, Kremgen) or a combination of them are used.

In some cases, excision of areas of necrosis is delayed until the process of tissue necrosis is completed. Sometimes this period can be several weeks.

The developing systemic poisoning syndrome is initially stopped symptomatically. After a black widow bite, muscle relaxants can be used to eliminate joint and muscle pain, but if they do not provide the desired result, then the patient is prescribed an injection of 10% calcium gluconate solution into a vein. With such treatment, cardiomonitoring is mandatory.

All patients under 16 and over 60 years of age with manifestations of arterial hypertension and severe symptoms of poisoning are subject to hospitalization. In severe black widow venom poisoning, a horse antidote is used after a skin test, which is administered over half an hour. This drug should be used with extreme caution as it may cause adverse side effects(anaphylaxis, etc.).

With signs of injury digestive tract a balanced diet is recommended. To strengthen the immune system, patients are prescribed vitamin complexes.

How to prevent a spider bite?

It is impossible to protect yourself from spider bites by 100%, but you can try to protect yourself by observing the following rules:

  1. Protect your home or tent from insects as much as possible.
  2. Carefully inspect your sleeping area before going to bed at night.
  3. Putting on clothes or shoes in nature, carefully inspect it.
  4. Explain to children that spiders should not be touched.

Which doctor to contact

If you suspect a spider bite - local pain, itching, redness and swelling of the skin, rash, fever, headache, impaired consciousness, tension in the muscles of the abdomen and trunk, seizures - contact a toxicologist, resuscitator or traumatologist. After examining the victim and conducting a differential diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe the treatment that is necessary in this particular case.

A spider bite is always an unpleasant event. However, in some cases they can be extremely dangerous for the health and life of the victim. The poisons of spiders such as karakurt, tarantula and hermit spider are especially dangerous. That is why, in the event of severe manifestations of such bites, the victim should definitely seek medical help as soon as possible. In some cases, to save the health and life of the patient, the introduction of special sera is carried out, which are able to neutralize poisons and alleviate the symptoms of poisoning.

Spiders are the most ancient inhabitants of the planet, according to scientists, these arthropods appeared on Earth more than 400 million years ago. It should be noted that all spiders are predators and their poison is a weapon with which they get their own food and also defend themselves. And this means that any spider is a priori poisonous.

Spiders rarely attack humans, they only bite when they are disturbed. Therefore, when you see a spider indoors or outdoors, you do not need to take it with your hands. Spider bites can be both deadly and just unpleasant, but not life-threatening. Almost all spiders have venom glands. Small spiders are not dangerous, as they simply cannot bite through human skin, and the poisonous substance released is too small to cause any trouble. Bites from larger spiders can be dangerous. A spider bite is hard to miss - it looks like a hornet bite, immediately causes pain and burning.

Many species of spiders live on the territory of Russia. What kind of arthropods should be feared, and what to do if a dangerous meeting could not be avoided?

Karakurt.

Karakurt lives in the south of Russia (the Black Sea and Azov regions), in the territories bordering Kazakhstan (Orenburg region), in Lately was also found in the Rostov, Volgograd, Saratov, Novosibirsk regions and the Altai Territory. The most dangerous is the bite of a female karakurt, which is called the "black widow".
According to experts, the poison of the Black Widow is 15 times stronger than poison rattlesnake. The bite of a black widow spider (photo of the spider on the right) usually causes sharp pain, as if pricked by a needle, followed by a feeling of numbness; sometimes pain appears in the area around the bite. In addition, spasmodic pains and stiffness of the muscles of the abdomen, shoulders, back or chest develop. Characterized by a sharp tension in the abdominal muscles, dilated pupils. Other possible symptoms are restlessness, anxiety, sweating, headaches, dizziness, swelling of the eyelids, skin rash and itching, nausea, vomiting, increased salivation, and general weakness. In severe cases, excitation, delirium, bronchospasm with difficulty in breathing are possible.

South Russian Tarantula

The South Russian Tarantula lives in the steppe and semi-desert territories of our country; they have also been seen in the Saratov, Oryol and other regions. Bite South Russian tarantula not fatal, but causes pain and burning at the site of injury. An angry spider can shed fine hairs that can cause an allergic reaction (eg, urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm) in sensitive people if it gets on the skin or eyes. The pain from a tarantula bite persists for a day, gradually subsiding. Lethargy, drowsiness, sweating, palpitations may be noted.

Spider-cross

Cross spiders are one of the most common arthropod species in the world. The name of the spider was due to a characteristic mark on the body - a pattern in the form of a cross is clearly visible on the abdomen. The bite of a cross spider for a person does not pose a mortal threat, however, a burning sensation will be felt at the site of the bite, there may be malaise in the form of a headache and aching joints. The bite site may retain some swelling for several days.

house spider

There are several types of domestic spiders - black, gray, brown and others. Most often in everyday life there is a type of black domestic spider - Badumna insignis, which prefers to live both inside the dwelling and outside - in window frames, walls of the building, that is, wherever it will not interfere with weaving its web. Home spider bites are extremely rare, a person needs to try very hard to get such an injury. If trouble happened, then the bite site will really hurt.

The place of residence of this arthropod is the North Caucasus, but sometimes heirakantium is also found in other parts of our country. The bite of cheiracanthium on the human body is practically not noticeable. After a bite, a person experiences pain for several days, and then everything goes away on its own, so experts assure that no antidotes are required.

Argiope

Agriopa is a black and yellow striped spider that lives in southern Russia, in the Volga region and in the Crimea. Prefers meadows, roadsides and forest edges. The abdomen has a striped black-yellow-white pattern, which is why it is also called the wasp spider. The bite of this spider is not fatal, but if it bites through the skin, the bite site will swell and hurt a little.

Eresus black

On the territory of Russia lives in Novosibirsk region, listed in the Red Book of the Ryazan region in the category rare species. It leads a burrowing way of life, populating beetle burrows, cracks and voids under stones.

The spider, although very beautiful, should not be touched. Erezus are poisonous, their bites are painful. At the bite site, an instant pain is felt, which is replaced by a feeling of numbness. Unpleasant sensations pass in 2 - 6 days. Erezus do not pose a danger to human life.

What to do so that the spider does not bite?

Whatever it was, but when meeting with a spider, it is very important to be vigilant. Especially attentive should be people who do not understand the types of these arthropods. It is best to take steps to prevent the bite. Namely:

  • do not touch the spider with your hands
  • when walking in nature, do not put your hands in different holes, under snags, etc.
  • shake off unwanted spiders - don't try to hit the spider on you
  • when working in the basement, on the street or in places where spiders are usually found, put on gloves on your hands, your feet should not be bare.
  • clean your house often - most spiders like dark, untouched places.

What to do if bitten by a spider?

Many spider bites only cause local reactions, including pain, redness, and swelling. To treat these symptoms, wash the area with soap and water, apply a cold compress, and take a simple analgesic such as paracetamol. The limb that was bitten by the spider (arm, leg) is better to raise up. This will help reduce inflammation and swelling.

Urgently consult a doctor if:

Pain is not relieved by a cold compress and a simple analgesic (paracetamol)

Headache appears, it becomes difficult to breathe or swallow

Glands in the affected limbs swell or become painful (in the armpits - with bites on the arm, in the groin - with bites on the leg)

There is increased sweating, trembling, tingling in the arms or legs

An upset stomach appears: nausea, vomiting, cramps.

Increased heart rate (palpitations)

Watch the entertaining film "Why doesn't a spider fall into its own web?"

Spiders - representatives natural world, the attitude towards which most people have a rather negative attitude. Yes, someone is afraid of them, someone is disgusted when the spider is on the body and its paws move or tickle. But there are those who, on the contrary, love spiders and even collect their species, breeding entire families in their homes. Some are for exterminating the Pak, others are trying to protect them. After all, they are also creatures of God. But today we are not talking about whether to exterminate or leave spider families alone. Let's find out in more detail what a spider bite can lead to, what needs to be done in the event of an attack by this animal.

Spiders are very important. If you destroy them, then the balance in nature will be disturbed. They, eating harmful insects, save vegetation. For example, a spider eats leafworms, springtails, and aphids, which saves both grape crops and crops in the fields. In addition, these representatives of nature are food for birds. Yes, it will get hurt. Spider venom is widely used in medicine. Medicines prepared on the basis of it save from many diseases.

If you have been bitten by a spider, then you should know that the affected area cannot be left unattended. Among spiders there are absolutely harmless representatives and deadly ones. In addition, they are considered predators. Spiders don't usually attack for no reason. And they don't attack. If someone invades their territory, threatens them, then they, like all living beings on our planet, defend themselves.

Not all representatives of spider families are poisonous and pose a threat to humans. However, living close to them is always dangerous for people. Yes, and not very pleasant. For many, the presence of a spider causes horror.

Consider several species of these animals and discuss what to do if a spider bite is found on the body.

Most often in a human dwelling you can find a hermit spider. It won't be hard to find out. On its back there is a characteristic pattern - the outline of a violin. He lives in dark rooms: in basements, storerooms, garages. The hermit spider is active at night. Its bite is not fatal to an adult, but very painful. On the affected area, redness first appears, accompanied by a slight burning sensation and itching. After 6-8 hours, a person feels pain at the site of the bite and discovers a blister (as with a burn). After a while, the blister is replaced by an ulcer of impressive depth. In parallel, there may be a deterioration in the general condition: the temperature rises, an allergic reaction appears, nausea. For babies, the bite of a recluse spider is more dangerous. The child's body may not be able to cope with the poison. In medicine, there are cases when children died from a portion of the venom of a hermit spider.

The meeting with this representative will also be unpleasant. The bite of a spider-cross also entails serious consequences for humans. The bite of the female, which is in mating season or at the time of laying eggs. When bitten, there is immediately a slight burning sensation and tingling. Half an hour later, when the poison begins to act, they note a headache, a weak condition, aching joints. Some of the symptoms are similar to those of the flu.

What to do if bitten by a spider?

First, remember the one who attacked and attacked you (if, of course, this is possible). It is important to determine which spider injected its poison into the victim. Because their poison is different and further treatment directly depends on the correct diagnosis. For example, when bitten by a tarantula, an antidote serum should be administered as soon as possible.

Secondly, where the spider has bitten, it is necessary to wash with soapy water and apply a bandage with an ointment that soothes itching. Under no circumstances should you scratch.

Thirdly, if there is a suspicion that the spider has bitten a poisonous one, then a tight bandage should be applied above the affected area. This will help slow the spread of the poison through the body through the blood.

Fourth, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Sometimes every minute is precious.

Gardeners, summer residents, tourists and travelers often encounter representatives of arachnids - spiders that hide in old pantries, in dry grass, in tree crevices. By accidentally disturbing their habitat, you can provoke a bite. Spider venom can cause local swelling and pain, a severe allergic reaction, and in the event of an attack by a hermit or karakurt, general intoxication of the body and even fatal outcome. How to determine the degree of damage and what to do if bitten by a spider?

How dangerous is a spider bite

Spiders are predatory insects, each of them can be called poisonous, since the poison helps them defend themselves and get their own food.

The poison of a large spider can cause serious damage to health, while small representatives of arthropods, as a rule, do not pose a danger. Due to their size, they are not able to damage the skin, and the dose of their poison will not be enough for a person to feel its effect on the body.

Among dangerous spiders the most common types are:

  1. Karakurt (black widow) - lives in forest-steppe zone, on the slopes of rocky ravines, in fields and wastelands. Likes dry sheds and cellars. Found in countries Central Asia, in Kyrgyzstan, in the south of Europe and Russia. The body of the karakurt is smooth, black, without hairline, relatively small. A distinctive feature is the characteristic red-orange spots on the back. This representative of arthropods is deadly. The venom of the female karakurt is extremely toxic, its components cause pathological changes in soft tissues and have a neurotoxic effect, followed by paralysis of the nervous system. The black widow poses the greatest danger to children, pregnant women and the elderly, a fatal outcome is likely in patients with severe concomitant diseases. A bite to the face, neck or lip can cause severe swelling of the mucous membranes, which is fraught with serious complications.
  2. Brown Recluse - It can be found in tree roots, under rocks, in basements and garages, behind furniture and baseboards. There are representatives of this species in the United States of America. The hermit's body does not always have Brown color, there are yellow and even gray. Their distinguishing feature is the pattern on the back in the form of a violin. Such spiders do not show aggression towards humans, however, if you accidentally disturb its habitat, the insect will begin to defend itself. The danger of the poison lies in its hemolytic effect - it causes soft tissue necrosis with penetration into the internal organs.
  3. yellow spider Sak - weaves web bags under stones and logs. Lives in most European countries. Despite its small size, its bite is extremely dangerous, as it causes tissue death at the injection site.
  4. Brazilian wandering spider - does not weave a web, hides in crevices, under logs and stones, as well as in fruit boxes and in people's dwellings (including old blankets). Found in southern regions America. Poison can provoke a severe allergic reaction. And in the fragile children's body cause severe consequences (up to death).
  5. Birdeater - lives in the crowns of trees, shrubs and in burrows. Found in Africa South America, Italy and Spain. All its subspecies are poisonous, but the degree of toxicity of their poison is very small.

    Tarantulas are often kept at home as exotic pets.

  6. Steatoda - lives in forests, in crevices of trees and in hollows. It is a close relative of karakurt, found in Asia, Europe and America. It has a black or dark brown color with characteristic light spots on the back. Attacks a person rarely, only in case of self-defense. The venom contains neurotoxins that can cause partial paralysis.
  7. Tarantula - found in the steppe, desert and other arid places, as well as in the forest-steppe zone. Found in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Russia. Tarantula venom does not have a lethal effect, despite the fact that this spider is considered one of major representatives arachnids. With a bite, violations of the nervous and cardiovascular systems are possible.

Black widow, tarantula, steatoda, tarantula, Sak, Brazilian wanderer and other poisonous spider species - photo gallery

Tarantula
Steatoda
tarantula
Yellow spider Sak
Brazilian wandering spider
brown recluse spider
Karakurt, or Black Widow

Non-dangerous spiders include:

  • common cross - it is distributed throughout the world, its bites do not harm a person;
  • house spider - live in the crevices of windows and walls, indoors, their bites do not cause severe intoxication of the body;
  • common horse - found in gardens and on summer cottages, like to bask in the sun and are completely harmless to humans;
  • flower side walker - live in flowers and feed on insects, cases of human bites are not described;
  • knitter spider - they build cobwebs near the water, they do not pose a danger to humans.

Brownie, cross and other spiders harmless to humans - photo gallery

flower sidewalk
Spider knitter
spider
brown house spider
Common cross

Consequences and manifestations of a bite

Suspecting a bite, first of all, one should try to determine whether it was inflicted by a spider and what kind of arthropod could attack.

Local clinical manifestations have certain similarities regardless of the type of spider. They are presented:

  • pain varying degrees intensity;
  • severe redness of the skin;
  • swelling, burning and itching in the area of ​​​​the bite.

Initially, only the bites of the hermit spider are painless, swelling and itching appear only on the second day, after which an ulcer and a black scab (spot) form in the damaged area.

Other characteristic symptoms of a spider bite include:

  • rash on the body;
  • rise in temperature to critical levels;
  • intense headaches until loss of consciousness;
  • increased heart rate and heart rate, jumps in blood pressure;
  • muscle spasms and even cramps;
  • general weakness with increased sweating;
  • ache in the joints;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • anxiety, overexcitation and delirium;
  • uncharacteristic color of urine;
  • pain in the abdomen and chest.

Pain in the right side, as with appendicitis, with numbness of the bite area are characteristic of the attack of karakurt. A bluish puncture site surrounded by white and red rings is a sign of a recluse attack.

If you are allergic to spider venom, you may experience:

  • swelling in the bite area;
  • difficulty breathing up to suffocation;
  • dizziness;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • anaphylactic shock.

The general morbid condition and local manifestations of intoxication persist for a week, after which a small scar remains at the site of injury, which becomes invisible over time. However, in the event of an attack by a dangerous poisonous spider, the skin in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe bite may become dead. Tissue necrosis is sometimes complicated by infection, as a result of which its length increases, and the healing process stretches for months.

Treatment

First aid at home

For a while first aid, as well as with bites of non-dangerous spiders, you can alleviate the effects of intoxication at home. For this, the following algorithm of action is provided:

  1. In order not to bring an infection into the wound, the bite site must be washed with running water and soap, and then lubricated with an antiseptic solution.
  2. In order for the poison, along with the blood, to be more slowly transferred throughout the body, the bitten limb (leg / arm) should be fixed and immobilized. It is strictly forbidden to take a hot bath - heat, expanding blood vessels, will contribute to the spread of poison.
  3. With the help of a pressure bandage, it is necessary to localize the site of the spread of the poison, pulling the damaged area just above the bite. In this case, the material must not be tightened too much, otherwise the general blood supply to the tissues will be disturbed.
  4. Apply ice or any cold compress to the bite.
  5. It is recommended to drink as much liquid as possible - this will speed up the elimination of toxins from the body.
  6. With a slight allergy to spider venom, you can take an antihistamine, for example, Suprastin or Tavegil.

If a child has been bitten or old man or the condition of the victim is rapidly deteriorating, it is urgent to consult a surgeon. To immediate medical care should also be resorted to in the case when there is a suspicion that the attacker is a hermit spider or karakurt. Treatment in this case will be provided by the introduction of antivenom.

Relieve signs and symptoms

As part of the hospital, immediately after the attack of dangerous spiders, a specific serum is introduced for medicinal purposes to prevent severe intoxication of the body.

Further drug therapy depends on the degree of damage and the individual's response to a toxic poison. It may include treatment with the following drugs:

  • calcium gluconate - an intravenous solution with mandatory cardiac monitoring will quickly relieve the patient of pain;
  • glucocorticosteroids - hormonal agents help in the treatment of a severe allergic reaction to the toxic spider venom;
  • antihistamines of local and general action - ointments and tablets will reduce swelling, relieve itching and burning in the bite area;
  • antibacterial ointments - necessary for the treatment of ulcerated areas.

In case of soft tissue necrosis surgical intervention in order to excise the damaged area.

Folk remedies and homeopathy

Spider bites without severe complications can be treated with folk remedies. For instance:

  • parsley or tea tree juice will help relieve irritation and itching - a couple of drops to the puncture site;
  • An infusion of crushed garlic with vinegar can reduce pain.

In homeopathy, there is a remedy - Latrodectus mactans, which can be taken as an adjunct to general detoxification therapy.

Precautionary measures

In most cases, spiders attack a person for the purpose of self-defense, therefore, first of all, you should not provoke an insect into self-defense: you cannot pick them up, play with cobwebs, or stir up their home.

To avoid accidental encounters with arthropods, you can follow the following recommendations:

  • when relaxing in nature, it is necessary to wear clothing that covers all parts of the body and use a headdress;
  • before going to bed, you should carefully inspect the tent and use a special canopy that needs to be tucked under the bed;
  • in dachas and gardens, it is recommended to carefully inspect clothes and shoes before putting them on;
  • you can’t walk without shoes in forest glades and in the habitats of spiders;
  • at home, it is better to use plastic containers for storing things, rather than cardboard boxes, which spiders can easily get into;
  • the premises must be kept clean, in this case, spiders are less likely to hide;
  • in dark corners, you can hang glue traps or apply an insecticidal spray, such as Bros aerosol to control spiders or Raid to instantly kill insects.

Brown recluse spider bite - video

To avoid venomous bite spider, you need to take precautions both at home and in nature. And if an attack occurs, you should immediately provide emergency assistance and, if necessary, consult a doctor.

Spiders (arachnids) are silent killers, causing instant death of their victim in the event of an attack. Patient and prudent arachnids (all spiders belong to this class) weave trapping murderous nets from invisible sticky threads. Up to 30 thousand species of spiders are known. They live next to a person - in the house, forests, fields, reservoirs. And, of course, a spider bite is not uncommon, especially if a person is in the habitats of spiders.

All spiders are poisonous. Poison glands are located on two head appendages - chelicerae. They need poison to kill and digest the victim. The main prey is insects. In some tropical spiders, the net reaches 2 m in diameter and can even interrupt the flight of a small bird. They feed on frogs, mice, small birds, fish, and even their brethren - cannibalism among spiders is quite common. Most spiders are not capable of causing significant harm to humans. Although the poison is strong, its small amount and underdeveloped injection mechanism limit the number of species dangerous to humans. For people, only those that can pierce the skin are dangerous. The most common species include karakurt (black widow), tarantula, scorpion, hermit spider, cross spider, tarantula spider, house spider.

spider bite the next day

Most spider bites are General characteristics, such as a small blister (blister) in the middle, swelling and swelling surrounding the bite site, and a large circle of redness. On the outside the redness is paler from the bite site. It's important to note that a spider can only bite once, so if you have multiple bites, it's likely that someone else didn't bite, or several spiders at once. A typical spider bite resolves within a few days and, in most cases, does not require special attention.
However, if the bite site looks different - a large bubble appears, bright redness spreads quickly to the sides, blueing of large areas of the skin - these are serious signs that you need to respond immediately and contact a medical facility urgently.
In the photo you can see the differences - what a bite of a safe spider looks like and a bite that is dangerous to health.

What to do if bitten by a spider

  1. First of all, don't panic! Although all spiders look scary, there are only about 12 species whose bite has a serious effect on humans or animals. The two most dangerous are the black widow spider and the brown recluse.
  2. Check the wound. After the bite, pay attention to the bite site for redness, swelling, and burning pain. There may be abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever, dizziness. The most dangerous reactions are shortness of breath and shock. If there is anything more than just a bite mark, slight redness and pain, you need to call an ambulance or see a doctor.
  3. Spider identification - if it is possible and safe to do so. Some spider bites require serious treatment, including antitoxins. If you are unable to identify the spider, this will be helpful in determining the appropriate treatment. It will help a lot if you can catch the spider in a jar or box (just remember about safety). Or at least take a picture of him and show the photo to the doctor.

First aid for a spider bite

  1. To reduce blood flow in the affected area, it is necessary to fix the arm or leg with a belt or scarf - as in a fracture. This will prevent the poison from spreading rapidly into the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body.
  2. Wash the bite with soap and water. Whether the spider is harmless or poisonous, rinse thoroughly as soon as possible. Even an ordinary spider can infect a wound when bitten.
  3. Apply a cold compress or ice to the bite site.
  4. Drink plenty of fluids - this will ensure that the poison is quickly eliminated through the kidneys.
  5. Take a pain reliever such as analgin or ibuprofen.
  6. As well as an antihistamine drug that will reduce allergic symptoms - itching, burning, rash.

If you suspect you've been bitten by a venomous spider, you can put a tight bandage over the bite if it's on an arm or leg, making sure you haven't completely cut off the circulation.

The goal is to slow the spread of the poison, not stop blood flow to the limbs. If the bite is on another part of the body, apply cold and get to a medical facility immediately. Hospitalization is required for most of these types of bites.

recluse spider bite

One of the four spiders whose bite is dangerous to humans - recluse spider. The brown recluse is generally not aggressive and generally bites humans as a defense mechanism, usually when a human's leg or arm is accidentally brought too close.

The brown recluse has a clear violin pattern on its back in the middle part of the body - pictured.

Recluse spider venom contains powerful cytotoxins and hemolytic enzymes that destroy red blood cells. Although the sting is usually not painful at first, there is a burning sensation similar to a bee sting during the first few minutes after the sting.
A small white blister may also appear at the site of the bite.

Additional symptoms usually develop two to eight hours after a recluse spider bite. Sometimes it takes up to 12 hours before bite symptoms develop. Signs:

  • severe pain at the bite site
  • severe itching
  • nausea
  • vomit
  • fever
  • muscle pain

local symptoms

Initially, you can see slight signs of redness at the site of the spider bite.

In most cases, after the skin at the site of the bite hardens, the formation of scar tissue can take several days. More severe local reactions also occur and can cause blistering, discoloration of the skin, and necrosis of the skin area.

Treatment

Because The reaction to the bite of a hermit spider can be sudden and severe, it is necessary to contact specialists for treatment. A visit to the doctor should not be delayed until symptoms appear, see a doctor as soon as possible.
If possible, capture the spider and bring it to a doctor or emergency room for evaluation.

There are no known antidotes for brown recluse stings, so a doctor may prescribe pain relievers, antihistamines to relieve itching, or recommend ice packs to reduce pain and swelling.

spider bite

The cross is a small creature harmless to humans that lives quietly, preying on insects that fall into their nets. The sharp poisonous fangs of the cross are primarily a hunting tool and serve as a defense against other spiders. The victim, falling into a trap, is quickly paralyzed by poison, and then the spider devours it.
The cross spider looks quite harmless - it is distinguished by its characteristic pattern of a cross on its back. The color varies from green to gray, depending on the habitat. The cross is very common - it lives almost everywhere.

A human bite can only be accidental. Their teeth are unable to cut through hard skin, but thinner areas of the body are not a problem. Most often, this situation can occur during a walk in the forest, picking mushrooms or trips. Crosses grow quickly and at the end of summer they can grow to an impressive size.

They stretch webs between the trees on high human face. An inattentive mushroom picker gets into the net being laid and completely destroys it. Then the insect willy-nilly tries to escape or hides under the clothes. IN this moment, we can accidentally crush the insect and that's when the spider bites.

Sometimes these situations occur during sleep. Spiders are nocturnal creatures and often move in search of good hunting grounds. A sleeping person, feeling a slight tingling on the body, instinctively trying to scratch, crushes it, exposing himself to a bite. Erythema or swelling may occur on the body in the spider bite area. Usually these symptoms go away on their own.

The poison of the cross does not cause any harm to a person. However, people who are allergic and sensitive to spider toxins should consult a doctor.

tarantula bite

The bite of a tarantula (Lycosa, Theraphosidae) is not dangerous to humans, but may be accompanied by pain and swelling. After being bitten, the animal performs a defensive maneuver, shedding hairs from its abdomen. Fine hairs, falling into the eyes and on the skin, cause pain and an urticarial rash. A variation of the tarantula is the tarantula spider.

The bite of a tarantula spider

There are 400 species of tarantulas of different colors. Cobalt blue to gray or dark brown, sometimes black. The tarantula reaches sizes from 9-10 to 17-23 cm, although its body is no more than 10 cm. The rest falls on the legs.
Tarantulas live a very long time - from 25 to 40 years, but this depends on the sex of the spider. He is one of the most scary spiders(outwardly) - its weight is 80 grams! The tarantula does not weave a web like other spiders, but pursues its prey with its long legs and paralyzes it with poison. It feeds on small insects - grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, even small lizards.

Incredibly, the spider has eight eyes - two in front and two each on the left, right side and back! They usually dig holes in the ground and build a house there.

Tarantulas are venomous, but most types of venom are not strong enough to seriously harm someone.

The bite of a tarantula can be compared to the stings of a wasp or a bee. In most cases, it is harmless, although an allergic person may react like a bee sting.
Recently, some began to start a tarantula spider as a pet. A human bite can happen through negligence when trying to escape a spider from a terrarium.
First aid for a tarantula bite is no different from other bites - you should consult a doctor if there is an allergy or signs of infection of the wound.

Karakurt bite

Karakurt (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) - a poisonous spider, lives in Moldova, Crimea, Central Asia. For humans, females are dangerous, which have a pair of tubular poisonous glands located on the upper jaw. The poisonous segment (chelicer) ends in a movable sharp claw with an opening for the duct of the poisonous gland. The female has a spherical dense black abdomen with reddish spots. The length of the karakurt is about 10 mm.

Symptoms of poisoning with karakurt poison

After a bite, a small, quickly disappearing speck forms. After 10-20 minutes, severe pain develops at the site of the lesion, which spreads to the abdomen, lower back, and chest. Observe strong mental agitation, headache, dizziness, suffocation, nausea, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, cyanosis, tachycardia, arrhythmia. There may be severe salivation. Respiratory arrest is possible.

Black widow bite

The black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) lives in the United States. The females of this species are very large: the paw span reaches 5 cm, and the body length is 1.5 cm. There is a red hourglass pattern on the black back.

Males are smaller, with a white mark on the back, the small size of the poisonous apparatus and mild aggressiveness make them practically harmless to humans. When disturbed, they fall to the ground, tuck their paws in and pretend to be dead. Black widow females are poisonous from the moment they are born. If they guard the laid eggs or feel threatening danger prefer to attack. Spiders use their venom to paralyze prey, from which they then suck out the hemolymph.

The period of postcopulatory passivity of the female allows the male to escape from the partner if she is not very hungry. If the female is hungry, then after mating she eats her "wife", which is why she is called a "widow".

Karakurt poison is a protein with a molecular weight of 130,000. Under the action of the poison, ion channels are formed in the presynaptic membranes of nerve cells, through which Ca 2++ ions enter the cell. Under the influence of the toxin, exocytosis of synaptic vesicles is facilitated and the release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), norepinephrine, and acetylcholine is enhanced.

Changes in intracellular homeostasis and an increase in the content of biologically active substances in the blood affect the functional state of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

In case of poisoning with karakurt poison, clinical manifestations develop within 30 minutes. The victim usually feels the sting and describes it as a "puncture". Severe pain is noted in the spider bite area, erythema and increased local sweating gradually increase.

Bite karakurt degree

When bitten by a black widow, there are three degrees of severity of the disease.

  • I degree; moderate soreness at the site of the bite, there are no general clinical manifestations of intoxication, all laboratory parameters are normal.
  • II degree: muscle pain in the bitten limb. Spread of pain to the abdomen when biting a leg or on chest by biting the hand. Profuse sweating at the site of the bite. Vital signs are normal.
  • III degree: generalized muscle pain in the back, chest, abdomen. Strong mental excitement. Headache, dizziness, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, cyanosis, arterial hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmia. General profuse sweating. Strong salivation. Respiratory arrest is possible. In blood tests, an increase in the content of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), leukocytosis, proteinuria is noted. In the absence of treatment, the maximum severity of symptoms lasts for 12 hours, the duration of intoxication is 48-72 hours.

in the photo on the left - a bite at the beginning, on the right - on day 3

Muscle spasms and tension in the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall sometimes lead to an erroneous diagnosis of peritonitis and the performance of unnecessary laparoscopy.

scorpion sting

The scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is a venomous spider that is widespread throughout the world. In Russia, lives in the southern latitudes. A feature of the structure of the scorpion, unlike other arthropods, is the presence of pedipalps with claws, at the end of the abdomen there is a curved sharp sting, where the duct of the poisonous glands opens. The most dangerous is the black scorpion, its size is 50-100 mm.

Scorpion venom binds to sodium channels in cell membranes, causing reactivation of neurons. This is accompanied by an elongation of the neuronal action potential in the synapses of the autonomic nervous system, which leads to an increase in the content of catecholamines, renin and aldosterone in the blood.

Symptoms of poisoning from a scorpion sting

The bite causes severe pain, which quickly spreads along the nerve trunks. The victim screams in pain, a sharp weakness develops, convulsions of individual muscle groups occur, blood pressure rises, the body is covered with cold sticky sweat. An urticaria rash appears in the bite area. In severe cases, motor excitation develops, arterial hypertension turns into hypotension, tachyarrhythmia, ventricular extrasystoles, vomiting, profuse sweating, priapism, salivation occur.

There is a growing visual impairment, ptosis, involuntary contractions of the muscles of the tongue, speech becomes slurred. Within 2-3 hours after the introduction of poison into the body, breathing is disturbed, pulmonary edema develops. Death occurs with symptoms of increasing acute cardiovascular and respiratory failure.

When assessing the degree of toxicity of arthropod venom, the following was noted:

Spider bite treatment

To reduce the spread of poison from the bite site throughout the body, immobilization of the limb is indicated. Pain is relieved by novocaine blockade, painkillers are administered: non-narcotic and narcotic analgesics. Cold is applied to the bite area.

Hormones, antihistamines are administered: H1 receptor blockers (promethazine (diprazine), chloropyramine (suprastin), etc. and H2 receptors (cimetidine, ranitidine (acylok), etc.), vitamins. Benzodiazepines are prescribed when excited. Serum In severe cases, equine immunoglobulin (IgG) is administered.The antitoxin (from horse serum) prevents the venom from binding to presynaptic membranes and remains effective even 46 hours after the bite.

With a scorpion sting, Ca-channel blockers, ACE inhibitors are prescribed. Propranolol (anaprilin) ​​effectively and quickly stops tachyarrhythmia, but does not improve hemodynamic parameters. With respiratory depression, oxygen is supplied, with the development of acute respiratory failure, artificial lung ventilation (ALV) is performed.