Therapy for Non-Venomous Spider Bites

Initial Management

The American Heart Association recommends thoroughly irrigating the bite wound with a large volume of warm or room temperature potable water until there is no foreign matter in the wound, applying antibiotic ointment, and covering with a clean occlusive dressing to improve healing and reduce infection risk 1
The American Heart Association suggests applying a clean barrier between ice and skin when applying ice for pain relief 1

Ice application to the bite site provides local pain relief, with a barrier between ice and skin, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2

Patients should seek medical attention if pain extends beyond the bite site or becomes severe, pain is not controlled by over-the-counter medications, an open wound develops, signs of infection appear, or systemic symptoms develop, according to the American College of Physicians 3, 4

The American College of Emergency Physicians advises against applying suction to the bite site, as this is ineffective and potentially harmful, and against applying tourniquets or pressure immobilization bandages, as these may worsen tissue injury 2
The American Heart Association recommends not placing objects in the mouth of someone having a seizure, as this may cause dental damage or aspiration, and not assuming antibiotics are needed for swelling around the bite site, as swelling is typically caused by mediator release, not infection 1, 4

The American Academy of Emergency Medicine suggests removing rings and other constricting objects from the bitten extremity, as swelling may occur 2

The American College of Physicians states that most patients with local symptoms only will recover completely within 24-48 hours, and recommends continuing pain management with over-the-counter medications as needed for several days, and monitoring for signs of secondary infection 4