Hi,
For most people with spider bites, including black widow and brown recluse spider bites, the following treatment measures are all that's required:
1. Clean the bite with mild soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment if you think the bite was caused by a brown recluse spider.
2. Apply a cool compress to the bite. This helps reduce pain and swelling.
3. If the bite is on an arm or leg, elevate it.
4. Take over-the-counter medications as needed. You might try a pain reliever, such as
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), or an antihistamine (Benadryl,
Chlor-Trimeton, others).
5. Observe the bite for signs of infection.
Your doctor may also recommend a tetanus booster shot if you haven't had one in the last five years. You may need antibiotics if the bite becomes infected.
If a black widow bite is causing
severe pain or life-threatening symptoms, your doctor may recommend an
antivenom, which may be injected into a thigh muscle or given through a vein (intravenously). Antivenom can cause serious allergic reactions, so it must be used with caution.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Sanjay Kini,
General & Family Physician