How to Treat a Spider Bite at Home

Spiders are everywhere - they can be in your home, office or garden. Definitely, no one would want to be bitten by a spider, more so if you are an arachnophobe. However, spider bites can be unavoidable. Because spiders lurk almost everywhere, you will not be able to tell when or where you will be bitten by one. Therefore the best thing to do then is to learn how to treat a spider bite particularly if you do not have immediate access to medical treatment at a hospital. Almost all spider bites are uncomfortable but often, it is considered to be harmless. However, being bitten by certain types of spiders such as the Brown Recluse or Black Widow can be harmful which is why it is important to immediately seek help from a medical professional. On the other hand if your bite is caused by non-venomous spiders, you can treat it on your own. Here are some of the tips on how to treat a spider bite.

• If it is possible to do so, it is advisable to determine the type of spider that bit you. This is because it is important to know whether you will be needing an antivenom or not. Aside from that, doing so will also allow you to know the appropriate treatment for the bite.
• If you are not able to do that, the first thing you should do is to clean the spider bite with soap and water - regardless of whether it is venomous or not. It is important to disinfect the wound first before applying any treatment.
• Apply cold compresses over the wound for regular spider bites. You can take medications such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen for pain relief. You should however monitor for any allergic reactions or fever. Should you experience any of these even after taking the pain medication, don't hesitate to seek medical treatment.
• For spider bites that are poisonous, put a tight bandage around the wound after disinfecting it. If the spider bite is on the leg or arm, make sure that the bandage is tight enough without cutting off circulation. The limb should also be elevated in order to prevent the further spread of the venom. Also apply an ice pack to the wound while it is bandaged.
• Make a paste by mixing 1 teaspoon of bleach, 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water. Apply this directly to the wound. This is an effective home remedy for mild spider bites.
• Consult your doctor immediately particularly if you think you are bitten by a venomous spider or if you are not sure what type of spider bit you. The doctor might put you under an anti-venom medication for several days as well as pain medication to help you deal with the discomfort.

These are some of the things to know on how to treat a spider bite. If the spider bite is more serious, you may be required to stay in the hospital for a few days if only to make sure that you do not have venom in your body.