A serious bite from the black widow orbrown reclusespider can cause severe skin changes and other problems.
The effects of non-serious bites, which are more common, lead to minor symptoms.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
What Does a Spider Bite Look Like?
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
Even so, there may be some overlap in symptoms.
The ring can turn purple or blue with time.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Jake from Atlanta
These typically present with two small, side-by-side holes in your skin.
Tissue Death
Brown recluse spider bites can cause painful, purplish blisters that break open into ulcers.
Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Exodog
An Expanding Lesion
There are many different things that can cause a lesion to expand or spread.
It will eventually turn black and blue as blood leaks from the disrupted blood vessels.
The blister will then erupt into a painful, open sore (ulcer).
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
When the ulcer heals, it can leave behind an ugly scar.
Its bite may look less obvious than a brown recluse spider bite.
You may feel a pinprick sensation and see two fang marks accompanied by local redness and swelling.
Wolf spider bitesare usually harmless.
Harmless Spider Bites
A variety of spiders are likely to bite if you disturb them.
If you suspect your child was bitten by one, seek emergency care.
How Spider Bites Are Treated
In most cases, a spider bite can be treated at home.
Summary
Most spider bites are harmless.
Even so, deaths from a brown recluse and black widow spider bite are rare.
If in doubt, call or see your healthcare provider.
“What Should I do if I Get a Spider Bite?
NYC Department of Health.Spiders.
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American Academy of Family Physicians.What should I do if I get a spider bite?.
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Spider Bite.
National Park Service.Field Guide to Spiders and Scorpions.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Spider bites.
The evidence indicates otherwise.Toxicon.
