Spiders are beneficial creatures — they help keep the insect population down. While they try to stay out of the way of humans, sometimes you can’t avoid crossing paths. The spider may defend itself by biting you if it feels threatened by your presence. In most cases, a spider bite isn’t anything to worry about, but there are a few dangerous species that require treatment.
Symptoms of a Spider Bite
You may feel pain and see redness and swelling around the bite area. In many cases, it won’t look much different from a typical bug bite. Bites from venomous spiders have an additional set of symptoms. You might have muscle cramps, start running a fever, or have a growing ulcer at the location of the bite. The pain also tends to spread throughout your body, rather than remaining localized.
Spider Bites That Require Treatment in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to many spider species, including the wolf spider and the zipper spider. You don’t have to go through any treatment for these types, as they don’t pose a threat to humans. However, brown recluses, black widows and brown widows are also in this region. These spiders have bites that can cause serious problems, especially if they go unaddressed. In some cases, they can have fatal consequences.
You start by cleaning the bite area and applying antibiotic ointment to it. Elevate the area if possible. Over-the-counter pain medications are appropriate to use for bites. Seek medical treatment if you are experiencing severe pain or suspect that the bite came from one of the three dangerous spiders. Black widow antivenom may be necessary.
When you go to a medical facility, provide as much information as possible about the bite and about the spider if you happened to catch a glimpse of it. Some spiders look similar to their venomous cousins but don’t require treatment when they bite.
A spider bite is a mild annoyance in most cases, but it’s important not to ignore it if you think you might have encountered a black widow, brown widow or brown recluse in Tennessee. The faster you get medical attention, the better chances you have of avoiding serious side effects.
Did you get bitten by a spider and need help? Visit Physicians Urgent Care in Franklin, TN and Brentwood, TN for fast, effective care.
Sources:
http://tnhealthandwellness.com/three-venomous-spiders-to-watch-out-for-at-your-home/