The symptoms of spider bites may be visible as soon as possible, to several days or even weeks. You will want to avoid getting bitten by a spider at all costs since it may spell doom if it's the deadlier kind. Thus, here are 7 tips on how to treat spider bites at home.
Spider Bites | 7 Effective Home Remedies
First Thing You Should Do
The first two things you need to know about spiders are they bite as a defense mechanism and they don't really prey on humans.
Usually, spiders like hobo spiders pose a little threat but the black widow spider and brown recluse can be deadly, so immediate medical attention is needed.
Regardless of what the internet says on how venomous a spider is, rushing to the hospital should still be the first thing to do because you'll never know what will happen.
If you're experiencing the following, it just means you got bitten and need to do something quick:
- Severe swelling
- Intense pain and stiffness
- Muscle spasms, fever, and chills
- Abdominal pain, vomiting, and difficulty breathing
- Lightheadedness
When treating spider bites, your objective should be neutralizing the bite and getting rid of any toxins as soon as possible.
Here are the most commonly used remedies you can do at home. Please note that the information in this article is for informative purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.
Remedy #1: Ice
The first step you should take is to clean the affected area with soap and water. Then, put an ice pack on the affected body part. The temperature will help numb your nerves, lessen the itching sensation, and reduce swelling.
- Apply the cold compress for 10 minutes while giving a few minutes of rest. Do it religiously within 24 hours.
- You can try washing the affected area over and over again using cold water.
Note: Do not put the ice directly on your skin.
Remedy #2: Baking Soda
Yes, baking soda is a popular solution to this dilemma. Its alkaline substance tremendously helps draw out the venom. Here's what you need to do:
- Mix 3 teaspoons of water with a teaspoon of baking soda.
- Apply the mixture on the infected area with cotton for more than 5 minutes.
- Wash it with lukewarm water
- If the discomfort remains, repeat the procedure after an hour or two.
Remedy #3: Salt
Salt is another effective remedy thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities. Here's how you can take advantage of its healing properties:
- Wash the area with water.
- Pour a little table salt on a washcloth, preferably wet. Kosher or sea salt is equally effective.
- Wrap this washcloth to the area for at least two hours, then take it off.
- Reapply if needed.
Remedy #4: Potatoes
A potato can also help ease up the discomfort of a spider bite. It reduces the itching and inflammation thanks to its anti-irritating and soothing properties. Here's how to do it:
- Peel a potato and wash it.
- Grate the potato.
- Put the wet potato shreds on a cloth and tie it.
- Rub it in the affected area and leave it there for half an hour.
- Replace the old potato poultice and wash the area using warm water.
- Reapply a fresh batch of poultice and repeat process until symptoms are gone.
Remedy #5: Aspirin
This probably never crossed your mind but aspirin is another great alternative cure for spider bites. It neutralizes the venom and the powerful anti-inflammatory qualities can efficiently control swelling and inflammation.
- Soak 1 to 2 aspirin tablets until it forms a paste.
- Apply this paste on the skin.
- Keep it in contact with the affected area for at least two hours, then rinse it with water.
- Repeat several times until symptom is no longer visible.
Remedy #6: Lemon Juice
Lemon juice also helps lessen itching, swelling, and inflammation. Since it's a natural astringent, it controls the spread of skin rashes caused by spider bites.
Extract the juice from the lemon and apply it to the area using cotton balls. Once it dries, rinse it with water.
Remedy #7: Aloe Vera
The gel of an aloe vera plant can also cure spider bites. The aloe gel is a natural antiseptic which reduces pain, swelling, and itching.
What you need to do is to wash an aloe vera leaf and cut it to extract the gel. Apply this gel on the affected area.
Do it multiple times until symptoms are gone. Also, keep the remaining gel in the refrigerator.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cure spider bites courtesy of expertvillage:
Spider bites can prove to be fatal, but applying these remedies help you prevent any lethal consequences.
Knowing the necessary items to use will prolong the venom from spreading, giving you enough time to prepare and visit the hospital.
Immediately consult a doctor to make sure no venomous substance is left in your body.
Have you tried using one of the remedies mentioned above? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Up Next: Spider Bite Treatment, Symptoms, and Pictures
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 24, 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Those are Hydrocodone pills in the picture, so they work the same way aspirin does ?
When it comes to brown recluse spider bites 5 Drs including a wound care specialist and an emergency room visit and 32 days later it’s only worse I’m baffled and feel like if this is going to be fixed I’m on my own. I’m trying the potato now. But of all the medications I’ve been given nothing has helped as much as calamine lotion at least for the itch and pussy rash around the bites. I am absolutely baffled at the lack of help that I have been given its like they don’t care. So at least in the DFW area in Texas your not going to get help at least not from the people I’ve seen and poison control is a joke! Sorry to be so negative but I litterly rushed to the store for a potato at 11pm and the calamine lotion was next to bandages at the grocery store. I’m at my wits end!
My husband got bitten by a brown recluse at the first of April. After various meds he’s using meat tenderizer made into a paste recommended by primary care physician.
Bacon works as well! So does allum (found in the spices isle), made into a paste with water! I’ve been bitten twice by brown recluse spiders, and I’ve used both remedies, and ended up not having to go to the doctor. I have two dinky scars and that’s it!
I just read the 7 home remedies of a spider bite and when to go to the hospital. Doggone shame these doctors don’t know like we think they should know . I would call an animal shelter or a place like that, and ask them, they may know more . Darn shame. I was bitten last night on my hand, I rubbed it with alcohol, it was sore. I was going put ice on it as it suggest but it looks like it’s gone down as from when I started typing this message. I think I’m going to use the cold compress for a few minutes just. for a little added relief. I pray you can find relief as we’ll. GOD bless and take care.
Plantain poultice. I had a severe reaction to a brown recluse bite. Big circle of necronized flesh on my foot. My wife the herbalist first soaked my foot in a bath of warm water, and Epson salts, and then wrapped my foot in a bandage with plantain leaves against the wound. A week later – healed.
I agree—Plantago sp. not only for the inflammation but its antibacterial properties as well.
You gave a lot of remedy’s and all would be readily available to me. In your opinion which would be best for black widow or brown recluse bites. Those are the only seriously poisonous spider varieties that I’m likely to encounter.