When a Spider Bite Needs Medical Attention

Spider bites can be scary because of the sheer unknown. Most of the time, a spider bite isn’t confirmed by actually seeing or capturing the spider—it may be suspected based on its appearance and the symptoms associated with it. That’s why if you’ve noticed spiders around your home, it’s important to be vigilant and learn the signs of spider bites. 

Spider bites typically cause pain, redness, swelling, and itching. They can also trigger allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing and hives. Certain spiders, like black widows, can even cause muscle cramps, while bites from others like the brown recluse can result in necrotic lesions. 

While you can sometimes manage mild issues at home, seek medical attention or Poison Control advice if pain and swelling are severe or worsening, systemic symptoms (like the muscle cramps we mentioned) develop, a medically important spider is suspected, or the person has a history of severe allergic reactions. If serious issues occur, like severe trouble breathing, collapse, or other life-threatening allergic or systemic symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.

Symptoms That Should Not Be Watched at Home Without Advice

As mentioned, you can monitor some spider bite symptoms at home, such as mild discomfort and swelling. However, other symptoms and systemic responses can signal a serious reaction that requires medical attention. The most concerning of these symptoms can include severe muscle cramping, vomiting, weakness, spreading symptoms, or a significant allergic reaction.

Worsening redness, swelling, drainage, fever, or tissue injury can also need clinical evaluation, because infection or other causes may mimic bites. A medical professional is the best person to help and advise in situations involving spider bites, so if you’re on the fence, you should absolutely seek help rather than wait it out at home. 

What to Do After a Suspected Spider Bite

If you suspect you or a loved one has been bitten by a spider, start by photographing the spider (if possible and safe to do so). You can also photograph the initial bite to track spreading or worsening over the next couple of hours. Then, clean the bite area and contact a medical provider or Poison Control for case-specific advice on how to proceed.

If you’re worried about future bites, contacting a professional pest control company for spider control in South Pasadena, CA is a great next step once the person who’s been bitten is safe and sound. While we can’t promise full eradication, our services can reduce spider populations by up to 90%, giving you more peace of mind that your home is better protected from spiders. 

How to Reduce Spider Encounters Around the Property

Repeated spider activity may signal a bigger issue around your property. During your spider control treatment, we’ll inspect your home for potential entry points that could be allowing spiders in, like gaps in seals or rips and tears in screens, as well as harborage areas like clutter where they could be producing webs and egg sacs. 

After addressing these areas, we’ll perform a multi-pest treatment to target spiders and the pests they prey on that often bring them to homes like yours. Throughout the season, we’ll keep up a 3-week treatment cycle to help keep spiders away for longer. Pest control is not a treatment for a bite, of course, but it can help reduce the risk of future bites by limiting spiders around your home.

For a suspected serious spider bite, seek medical guidance first. For help reducing spider activity around your South Pasadena property, call Mosquito Squad of Pasadena at (213) 238-5564 or request a free quote online.