Myth: "A spider bit me while I was asleep. (No, I didn't see any spider, but what else could it have been?)"Fact: The notion that "if you didn't see what bit you, it was a spider" is (to me) one of the strangest of the widespread spider superstitions, already well established in 1901 according to a medical article published then. Even some physicians, who really should know better, accept it! I have no idea how this belief originated, but it is quite false. Show
Here are some facts: Unless you are sleeping on the basement floor, a spider might wander onto your bed as often as twice a year. Not every night! If you take elementary precautions like not letting the blankets or bedspread touch the floor or walls, the incidence of spiders on the bed will be effectively zero. If a spider does get on a bed, usually no bite will result. Spiders have no reason to bite humans; they are not bloodsuckers, and are not aware of our existence in any case. If you roll over onto a spider, most likely the spider will have no chance to bite. Being crushed against a bedsheet by a human body just doesn't work well as a biting scenario (despite what everyone thinks) because spider fangs are underneath the spider. When pressed on from above, the spider may reflexively bite what it is standing on: the sheet, not your body. True spider bites (which are rare events) occur when a spider is trapped inside clothing or when someone foolishly puts a hand or other body part in a spider habitat without looking, or even more foolishly slaps at a spider that is crawling on them. Skin bumps and sores noticed in the morning are generally caused by non-bite disease conditions: see this article for a partial list. Currently MRSA bacteria (see this article) are among the leading causes of alleged "spider bites." The minority that are really bites are caused by bloodsucking insects such as fleas, bedbugs, kissing bugs, lice, or assorted flies; less commonly by mites or ticks. Genuine spider bites in this situation are possible, but very rare. Spider Myths "Everything that 'everybody knows' about spiders is wrong!" —Rod Crawford sets the record straight with Spider Myths. Most spider bites only rarely cause serious problems. You may have redness, swelling and pain in the bite area. Bites from black widow, brown recluse and hobo spiders are more serious. They may cause trouble breathing, a severe headache and painful muscle cramps that require immediate medical care. You can take steps to prevent spider bites.
OverviewHow serious is a spider bite?Most spiders are harmless and rarely bite people. All spiders make venom (a poison), but most spiders’ fangs are too small to puncture human skin. Spiders are arachnids (not insects). They’re in the same class as scorpions, mites and ticks. All of these arachnids have eight legs. Spiders perform a vital function by eating insects that can destroy crops. Which spiders are dangerous to people?There are at least 60 different spider species in America, but only a few pose any danger to humans. These more dangerous spiders include:
Black widow spider
Brown recluse spider
Hobo spider How common are spider bites?Experts aren’t sure how many people get spider bites every year. Most of the time, you may not know a spider bit you. Or you may think an insect bit you, instead of a spider. Bites from black widows or brown recluses are most dangerous to children (because of their small size) and the elderly (who may be frail or in poor health). In the U.S., fewer than three people die every year from a spider bite. Most of these deaths occur in children. Who might get spider bites?Anyone can accidentally come into contact with a spider and get bitten. Still, some people may be more at risk because their jobs or actions put them in closer contact with places where spiders live. People at risk include:
Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms of a spider bite?Spider bite symptoms vary depending on the type of spider. Black widow spider bites cause an immediate, sharp, pinprick-like pain. The bite area then becomes numb. Other signs of a black widow spider bite include:
Bites from brown recluse spiders aren’t immediately painful or noticeable. Instead, you might feel pain an hour after the bite. Other signs of a brown recluse spider bite include:
Hobo spider bites rarely cause pain. Signs of a hobo spider bite include:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is a spider bite diagnosed?Seeing the spider is the best way to confirm both a bite and the type of spider. Otherwise, there isn’t a way to test for a spider bite or determine what bit you. Your healthcare provider may make a diagnosis based on symptoms. Your provider may also send a sample of fluid from a blister to a lab to check for skin infections that cause similar symptoms, such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Management and TreatmentWhat are the complications of a spider bite?Some brown recluse bites cause a skin ulcer (wound). If the wound doesn’t heal, you might need surgery. Black widow bites are the most serious. Children under 16 and people older than 60 may need hospitalization to treat:
How is a spider bite managed or treated?Spider bite treatments vary depending on symptoms. Treatment for black widow spider bites includes muscle relaxers, sedatives and pain medicines. Treatment for brown recluse and hobo spider bites include:
What should I do if a spider bites me?You should never attempt to suck out or remove venom from a spider bite. Instead, follow these steps:
PreventionHow can I protect myself from spider bites?To protect yourself and your family from spider bites:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat is the prognosis (outlook) for people who have spider bites?Most people with spider bites experience mild symptoms like pain and swelling. These symptoms gradually go away with at-home care. You may have more painful and severe symptoms if a black widow, brown recluse or hobo spider bites you. With proper medical care, most people recover from venomous spider bites. Living WithWhen should I call the doctor?You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
What questions should I ask my doctor?If you have concerns about a spider bite, you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Spiders get a bad rap, but they provide a helpful service by reducing the number of insects on the planet that could destroy crops and land. Spiders really don’t want to bite you. They only bite when they’re trapped or feel the need to defend themselves. Most spider bites are harmless. Your healthcare provider can offer suggestions for alleviating symptoms at home. You should seek immediate medical attention if a black widow, brown recluse or hobo spider bites you. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/08/2021. References
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How do you tell if you were bitten by a spider?Typically, a spider bite looks like any other bug bite — a red, inflamed, sometimes itchy or painful bump on your skin — and may even go unnoticed. Harmless spider bites usually don't produce any other symptoms.. Redness, pain and swelling. ... . Cramping. ... . Nausea, vomiting, tremors or sweating.. What are the odds of being bitten by a spider?“With a little over 330 million people in the United States, that works out to somewhere around 1 in 12,000 to 1 in 15,000 people per year are bitten by spiders.”
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