Home Remedies for Spider Bites
Arachnophobia is one of the most common phobias—and for good reason. Not only do spiders often look terrifying, they can also bite and cause severe problems for humans.
Black widows are among the few poisonous spiders native to Utah.
Fortunately, a vast majority of spider bites aren’t dangerous. In many cases, you won’t even notice that you were bitten—and, at most, you’ll experience some mild irritation and itching.
Spider bite first aid
If you know you’ve been bitten, though, there are a few first aid steps you can take to relieve any potential pain:
- Keep calm. Though a spider bite can be scary, panicking will cause your blood to flow faster—causing the venom to spread.
- Clean the bite. Use soap and water to thoroughly cleanse the area around the bite.
- Contain the venom. If the bite was on your arm or leg, keep the limb elevated. Tie a cloth or bandage above the area of the bite (but not so tight that you lose circulation,) to slow the spread of the venom.
- Apply ice. For the first 6 hours, apply an ice pack to the area of the wound for 15-20 minutes out of every hour. Make sure that the ice isn’t applied directly to your skin, as this can cause frostbite.
Following these steps will help minimize the pain caused by most spider bites. However, though it’s highly unlikely that you will be bitten by one, there are a few kinds of poisonous spider in Utah. If you think you have been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse—or if the spider bite is causing you significant pain and symptoms don’t get better within a few hours—get medical help immediately.
Spider extermination services
Sometimes, spider bites just happen—particularly when you spend a lot of time outdoors. However, if your home is facing a spider invasion, there’s something you can do—contact your Salt Lake spider extermination specialists!