Most spiders are poisonous, but not all spider bites are harmful as most spiders are rather small and as such the poison is not strong enough to be dangerous for humans. Spiders are able to regulate the quantity of venom that they inject when they bite. They are able to alter this amount as per the circumstances. The spider needs to produce the venom, and as such it beneficial for the spider to use it sparingly. Spider bites can be either attacking or defensive and this is determined by the motive behind the bite. When attacking a prey, the spider will inject the venom depending on the size of the prey. If the spider needs to defend itself, it will inject only that much venom that is necessary to prevent it from getting injured. Bites in which a small amount or no venom at all is injected is called a dry bite.
Spider bites that occur in humans are usually defensive. Stepping on a spider or squeezing one can result in a bite. The spiders that are considered the most poisonous are the black widow spiders and the brown recluse spiders. Black widow spider bites may not be visible on the body and are identified mostly by the symptoms. Spider bites result in swelling, redness, pain and itching. Sometimes the symptoms may worsen in a day’s time, and in these cases it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately. Fluid seepage from the bite, discoloration, numbness and redness in areas surrounding the bite is a cause for concern.
It is best to undergo a medical examination when affected by a spider bite. This will serve to alleviate the symptoms immediately by receiving the appropriate treatment and also prevent further complications from developing. Listed here are also some home remedies that you can use for relief until the time you can show it to a doctor. An ice compress is known to be effective in reducing the swelling associated with a spider bite. You can also make a paste of baking soda and water and apply to the bite as this will quicken the healing process. It is also a good idea to keep the bitten area elevated. This will help to diminish the swelling greatly. Rinsing the affected area with hydrogen peroxide is also known to be a good antiseptic treatment for spider bites. Applying crushed dried basil works well to ease the pain and also alleviate the swelling.