Fears
Arachnophobia, Spider Bites and Scorpion Stings
Arachnophobia
In society Arachnids, and spiders more specifically, have had a long standing status of being feared and misunderstood. Most people, world wide, have some sort of a dislike or fear of arachnids. This may range from a mild aversion to a more severe terror. Arachnophobia is the term used for fear of arachnids and it is not a term used for those whom have a mild dislike for arachnids but for those with severe terror. Arachnophobia can cause emotional distress, including screaming and crying, accelerated heart rate, fast breathing, sweating and hyperventilation. In other words it can cause an anxiety or panic attack. There are many theories as to the root of this fear. Some believe that it stems from a survival instinct due to arachnids containing venom which can cause injury, illness or even death and some believe it is social conditioning.
Spider Bites
There are about 40,000 different spiders worldwide and only about a dozen of them are dangerous to humans. Spiders do not set out to bite humans and only do so when they are startled or feel threatened. This can sometimes occur when rolling over in bed, putting on shoes or clothes that are rarely used or putting hands into dark covered areas in the garden or sheds. Most of the time spider bites are harmless to humans but occasionally they can be more severe or even fatal.
When spiders bite they do so using their fangs, which are located on their head, or cephalothorax. These fangs are called chelicerae. Venom is made in glands behind the chelicerae and it empties into ducts that run down into the fangs. The venom is meant to immobilize or kill the spiders prey. Most spiders are not harmful to humans because their fangs are not long enough to pierce human skin. The ones that are able to pierce through human skin are mostly harmless with either very mild venom or with no venom delivered. However there are a few spiders around the world that are very dangerous to humans. Most suspected spider bites in humans are actually not from spiders at all but from other sources such as insects or skin conditions such as boils and rashes. Children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to more serious reactions.
Symptoms of Spider Bites
Mild local reaction
Redness, swelling or itching
Allergic reaction which can be more severe to fatal
Troubles swallowing or speaking
Swelling of face, lips, tongue
Chest tightness, wheezing, trouble breathing
Treatment of Spider Bites
Wash with mild soap and warm water
Pat area dry
Apply a cool compress to site to help relieve swelling and pain
Keep calm and still so that the venom spreads more slowly
Use an over the counter pain relieve or an anti-inflammatory for relief of pain and swelling
Use an over the counter antihistamine for relief of itching and swelling
If the bite is on an extremity, arm or leg, elevate it
It is advised that for any bite from a known dangerous spider to seek medical treatment, as in some cases treatment with an anti-venom is indicated, and if possible to safely capture and bring the spider in for identification
If bite does not heal or becomes infected seek medical treatment
Complications of Spider Bites
Secondary bacterial infection
Cellulitis
Scarring
Gangrene
Kidney failure
When spiders bite they do so using their fangs, which are located on their head, or cephalothorax. These fangs are called chelicerae. Venom is made in glands behind the chelicerae and it empties into ducts that run down into the fangs. The venom is meant to immobilize or kill the spiders prey. Most spiders are not harmful to humans because their fangs are not long enough to pierce human skin. The ones that are able to pierce through human skin are mostly harmless with either very mild venom or with no venom delivered. However there are a few spiders around the world that are very dangerous to humans. Most suspected spider bites in humans are actually not from spiders at all but from other sources such as insects or skin conditions such as boils and rashes. Children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to more serious reactions.
Symptoms of Spider Bites
Mild local reaction
Redness, swelling or itching
Allergic reaction which can be more severe to fatal
Troubles swallowing or speaking
Swelling of face, lips, tongue
Chest tightness, wheezing, trouble breathing
Treatment of Spider Bites
Wash with mild soap and warm water
Pat area dry
Apply a cool compress to site to help relieve swelling and pain
Keep calm and still so that the venom spreads more slowly
Use an over the counter pain relieve or an anti-inflammatory for relief of pain and swelling
Use an over the counter antihistamine for relief of itching and swelling
If the bite is on an extremity, arm or leg, elevate it
It is advised that for any bite from a known dangerous spider to seek medical treatment, as in some cases treatment with an anti-venom is indicated, and if possible to safely capture and bring the spider in for identification
If bite does not heal or becomes infected seek medical treatment
Complications of Spider Bites
Secondary bacterial infection
Cellulitis
Scarring
Gangrene
Kidney failure
There are three dangerous spiders in the United States
The Black Widow, the Brown Recluse, and the Hobo
The Black Widow, the Brown Recluse, and the Hobo
Black Widow Spider
The black widow spider is easily identified by the large black body and the red hourglass shape on the abdomen. Black widows are located in warmer and desert regions of the United States. The black widows are the most venomous spider in North America, more toxic than a rattlesnake, but only a small amount of venom is injected with each bite, making the risk of death a lot less, around 1%. The females are the only ones that bite humans, not the males or the young. The bite of the black widow is fairly painless, feeling like the prick of a pin. Generally there is only a slight bite mark seen with little to no redness or swelling. Within a few hours, however, there may be intense pain and stiffness at the site of the bite as well as severe stomach pain and cramping, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, breathing problems and the possibility of death. An anti-venom may be used to treat certain cases of black widow spider bites.
The black widow spider is easily identified by the large black body and the red hourglass shape on the abdomen. Black widows are located in warmer and desert regions of the United States. The black widows are the most venomous spider in North America, more toxic than a rattlesnake, but only a small amount of venom is injected with each bite, making the risk of death a lot less, around 1%. The females are the only ones that bite humans, not the males or the young. The bite of the black widow is fairly painless, feeling like the prick of a pin. Generally there is only a slight bite mark seen with little to no redness or swelling. Within a few hours, however, there may be intense pain and stiffness at the site of the bite as well as severe stomach pain and cramping, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, breathing problems and the possibility of death. An anti-venom may be used to treat certain cases of black widow spider bites.
Brown Recluse Spider
The brown recluse spider is identified by the dark violin shaped mark on its cephalothorax, which is why it is commonly referred to as the 'fiddleback' or 'violin' spider. In the United States brown recluses are located in the central midwest states down to the gulf states. The bite of the brown recluse, like the black widow, usually feels like a pinprick. However with the brown recluse bite there starts to be swelling and redness at the site in 2 to 8 hours. There may also be fever, nausea and vomiting, joint stiffness, fatigue and possibly death. A blister forms at the bite that within about a week opens up and becomes an ulcer. This ulcer may be shallow but it can also be very deep and leave a permanent mark or hole at the area, taking up to 2 months to heal. There is no anti-venom available to treat brown recluse bites.
The brown recluse spider is identified by the dark violin shaped mark on its cephalothorax, which is why it is commonly referred to as the 'fiddleback' or 'violin' spider. In the United States brown recluses are located in the central midwest states down to the gulf states. The bite of the brown recluse, like the black widow, usually feels like a pinprick. However with the brown recluse bite there starts to be swelling and redness at the site in 2 to 8 hours. There may also be fever, nausea and vomiting, joint stiffness, fatigue and possibly death. A blister forms at the bite that within about a week opens up and becomes an ulcer. This ulcer may be shallow but it can also be very deep and leave a permanent mark or hole at the area, taking up to 2 months to heal. There is no anti-venom available to treat brown recluse bites.
Hobo Spider
The appearance of the hobo spider itself is much confused with other brown house spiders and identification is more common based upon the funnel shaped web that it builds. The Hobo spider lives in the Pacific Northwest portion of the United States. The bite of the hobo spider gets warm and red within a few hours and can cause a headache. Within 24-36 hours a blister will have formed at the site and break open which becomes an ulcer. This ulcer can take weeks to months to heal, very similar to that of the brown recluse spider.
The appearance of the hobo spider itself is much confused with other brown house spiders and identification is more common based upon the funnel shaped web that it builds. The Hobo spider lives in the Pacific Northwest portion of the United States. The bite of the hobo spider gets warm and red within a few hours and can cause a headache. Within 24-36 hours a blister will have formed at the site and break open which becomes an ulcer. This ulcer can take weeks to months to heal, very similar to that of the brown recluse spider.
Scorpion Stings
There are about 1,500 different scorpions in the world and though all scorpions are venomous only about 30 of them are dangerous to humans. Scorpions, like spiders, do not set out to harm humans. They will only sting when they feel threatened or are frightened. This can occur when putting on shoes that are rarely worn, rolling over in bed or sticking hands in dark storage or garden areas. Most of the time scorpion stings are harmless to humans but occasionally they can be more severe or even fatal.
When scorpions sting they do so using the stinger located at the tip of their tail. The venom is located in a sack at the tail tip and empties into the sharp stinger. Scorpions use venom to paralyze their prey, for defense and during mating. Children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to more serious reactions.
Symptoms of Scorpion Stings
Mild local reaction
Pain, tingling, burning and redness at the site of the sting
More severe reactions
Nausea and vomiting
Sweating
Troubles swallowing or speaking, throat swelling, excess salivation
Chest tightness, wheezing, trouble breathing, heart palpitations, racing heart beat
Generalized muscle weakness and numbness, convulsions
Abnormal head, neck and eye movements
Confusion
Unconsciousness
Treatment of Scorpion Stings
Wash with mild soap and warm water
Pat area dry
Apply a cool compress to site to help relieve swelling and pain
Keep calm and still so that the venom spreads more slowly
Use an over the counter pain reliever or an anti-inflammatory for relief of pain and swelling
Use an over the counter antihistamine for relief of itching and swelling
If the sting is on an extremity, arm or leg, elevate it
It is advised that for any sting from a known dangerous scorpion to seek medical treatment, as in
some cases treatment with an anti-venom is indicated
If a sting does not heal or becomes infected seek medical treatmen
When scorpions sting they do so using the stinger located at the tip of their tail. The venom is located in a sack at the tail tip and empties into the sharp stinger. Scorpions use venom to paralyze their prey, for defense and during mating. Children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to more serious reactions.
Symptoms of Scorpion Stings
Mild local reaction
Pain, tingling, burning and redness at the site of the sting
More severe reactions
Nausea and vomiting
Sweating
Troubles swallowing or speaking, throat swelling, excess salivation
Chest tightness, wheezing, trouble breathing, heart palpitations, racing heart beat
Generalized muscle weakness and numbness, convulsions
Abnormal head, neck and eye movements
Confusion
Unconsciousness
Treatment of Scorpion Stings
Wash with mild soap and warm water
Pat area dry
Apply a cool compress to site to help relieve swelling and pain
Keep calm and still so that the venom spreads more slowly
Use an over the counter pain reliever or an anti-inflammatory for relief of pain and swelling
Use an over the counter antihistamine for relief of itching and swelling
If the sting is on an extremity, arm or leg, elevate it
It is advised that for any sting from a known dangerous scorpion to seek medical treatment, as in
some cases treatment with an anti-venom is indicated
If a sting does not heal or becomes infected seek medical treatmen
There is one dangerous scorpion in the United States
Bark Scorpion
The bark scorpion is one of the few scorpions that will gather in groups as well as climb. Bark scorpions are located in the southeastern areas of the United States and they are the most commonly seen scorpions in peoples homes. The sting of the bark scorpion does not normally create swelling at the site of the sting but can cause intense pain at the site as well as numbness, foaming from the mouth, breathing problems, paralysis of the diaphragm, muscle twitching and convulsions. Anti-venom can be used to treat some cases of bark scorpion stings.
The bark scorpion is one of the few scorpions that will gather in groups as well as climb. Bark scorpions are located in the southeastern areas of the United States and they are the most commonly seen scorpions in peoples homes. The sting of the bark scorpion does not normally create swelling at the site of the sting but can cause intense pain at the site as well as numbness, foaming from the mouth, breathing problems, paralysis of the diaphragm, muscle twitching and convulsions. Anti-venom can be used to treat some cases of bark scorpion stings.