Are most spiders venomous? The majority of the 3,000 spiders in the United States aren’t dangerous. Even if most spiders did bite, their fangs are too small or weak to puncture human skin. Their bites may leave itchy, red wounds that heal within a week or so. The spiders that do manage to bite through our skin and insert toxic venom can cause serious health complications. Read on to learn what spider bites look like, what spider varieties leave certain bites, and how to treat spider bites.

How to treat a spider bite at home In some cases, you can treat spider bites at home. For nonvenomous spider bites, follow these steps: Apply an ice pack on and off the bite for 10 minutes at a time.

Elevate the area to reduce swelling.

Take an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), to help with itching.

Clean the area with soap and water to prevent infection.

Apply antibiotic ointment to the area if blisters develop. Seek medical attention if you’re showing symptoms of a spider bite or if the symptoms don’t go away over time. Always seek medical attention if you suspect you’ve been bitten by one of the following species: brown recluse

black widow

hobo spider

tarantula

Brazilian wandering spider Learn where these spiders hide and what they look like below.

Brown recluse Share on Pinterest About 1 inch long and usually nonaggressive, the brown recluse typically hides in dark, secluded spaces. It only bites if it’s trapped against your skin. It’s also called the violin spider because of the dark marking on its back. The brown recluse is usually found in areas such as: Missouri

Tennessee

Kansas

Arkansas

Louisiana

Oklahoma

eastern Texas The initial brown recluse bite may be painless, but within 8 hours it’ll begin to itch, hurt, and turn red. A red or purple ring resembling a target or bull’s-eye will develop around the bite. This bite can blister and grow progressively worse without treatment to the point where it may kill surrounding tissue and cause fever, chills, and headache. On rare occasions, it can cause: coma or seizures

jaundice

blood in urine

kidney failure There’s no antidote for a brown recluse bite, but keeping the area clean can encourage faster healing. Your doctor will examine the bite and prescribe antibiotics. In extreme cases, such as tissue death, you’ll need surgery and hospitalization .

Black widow Share on Pinterest The black widow spider is shiny and black with a distinct, reddish, hourglass-shaped mark on its belly. Found mostly in the warm Southern and Western United States, the black widow stays in secluded spaces like piles of fallen leaves, woodpiles, and boxes in the attic. Only the female black widow is toxic. Black widow bites can feel like a small pinprick or nothing at all, but your skin’s reaction will be immediate. You’ll be able to see the two puncture marks on your skin. Symptoms of a black widow bite include: muscle cramping

pain and burning at puncture site

headache

high blood pressure

increased saliva and sweating

nausea and vomiting

numbness

restlessness Prompt treatment is best, especially for children and older adults. In some cases, a healthcare professional will prescribe antivenom to remove the venom from your body.

Hobo spider Share on Pinterest Hobo spiders are common in the Pacific Northwest. They sit up high on long legs and run fast. Watch out if you’re cleaning window wells or sweeping out the garage, as they may attack when provoked. Hobo spiders lurk behind furniture, under baseboards, and in closets. A bite from a hobo spider may be unnoticeable at first, but it’ll cause pain and numbness within 15 minutes. After 1 hour, the site will start to turn red. In 8 hours, it’ll become hardened and swollen. After 24 to 26 hours, the wound may discharge fluids and eventually turn black. Other signs and symptoms may include: a red or purple blister at the puncture site

visual or aural disruption

weakness

joint pain

headaches

nausea

sweating Hobo spider bites are slow to heal. Seek immediate medical treatment if you suspect you’ve been bitten by a hobo spider. The treatment is similar to that of brown recluse spider bites. It may involve corticosteroids, antibiotics, or surgery. Treatment works best if administered within 24 hours of the bite.

Tarantula Share on Pinterest Southwestern states with desert climates host tarantulas, but tarantulas may also be found as far east as the Mississippi River. They tend to hide under logs or stones, tree trunks, and in tunnels or burrows. You can usually identify tarantulas by their appearance. They’re 3 to 5 inches long, have a hairy texture, and have visible fangs that hang down. Tarantulas aren’t aggressive. The venom from the species found in the United States isn’t considered dangerous. Their bite will feel like a bee sting. The area will become warm and red. Other potential symptoms include: rash

swelling

itching

rapid heart rate

eyelid puffiness

trouble breathing

low blood pressure Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Brazilian wandering spider Share on Pinterest Native to Central and South America, this spider moves quickly and aggressively. It can grow up to 5 inches long. It’s considered one of the most venomous spiders in the world. The bite of a Brazilian wandering spider is extremely painful. It can quickly result in heavy sweating and drooling. The skin around the bite will usually swell, turn red, and get hot. In severe cases, the bite can result in dead tissue or death. Seek emergency treatment immediately. Antivenom is available for this spider’s bite.

Wolf spider Share on Pinterest Common all over the country, wolf spiders measure 3 to 4 inches long and look similar to tarantulas. They like to stalk their prey by hunting on the ground. You’ll find them in sand and gravel, around the bases of doors and windows, or in house plants. Look for two large eyes in the middle of their faces, accompanied by six smaller eyes. A wolf spider’s bite may tear the skin and cause pain, redness, and swelling. You may also experience swollen lymph nodes as a result of the bite. For some people, healing can take up to 10 days. In rare cases, the bite can lead to tissue damage.

Camel spider Share on Pinterest Found in desert climates, the sand-colored camel spider has a powerful pincer on its head. A camel spider will always seek the coolest place around, which just may be your shadow. A fast runner (up to 10 mph), it may be only 2 to 3 inches long. In some locations, it grows up to 6 to 8 inches in length. Because of its large jaws, a camel spider can leave a significant wound in human skin. These spiders don’t produce venom, but you may get an infection due to the open wound. You may also experience swelling around the bite wound and mild to intense bleeding.

Jumping spider Share on Pinterest One of the most common household spiders, the jumping spider exists throughout the United States. Usually only 1/2 inch long, it has a stout, hairy body. The most common type is black with white spots on top. It moves erratically in a manner that resembles jumping. You’re likely to find it outside in gardens and near other vegetation. The jumping spider’s bite is usually no worse than a wasp sting. It can be dangerous if you’re allergic to spider venom. Serious symptoms include: pain

itching

redness

swelling

headaches They’ll attack if threatened, so use gloves when gardening.