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Eeek Spiders! What You Should Know…

Spiders, What you should know
Each year, on average, one person in the United States and three people in Europe die from spider bites (typesofspiders.net). Although every person’s body reacts differently to a spider bite, it is not uncommon for the bite to take months to heal. It is possible that some spider bites may be very painful and some may become infected.
Did you know late August is spider breeding season? If you haven’t seen any spiders around lately keep your eyes open for them as they will start to appear. And as you do start to see more of them it is important that you are able to identify the different types of spiders and also to know which spiders are the most poisonous. It is also vital to know the different symptoms and treatment options that are available if you are bitten by a spider.

10 interesting facts you should know about spiders:

Content provided by: Spiderfacts.net

Not all spiders weave webs.

Web weaving spiders have really bad eyesight; they weave webs to be able to catch food.

Some spiders can walk on water.
Spiders are not insects, but are eight legged invertebrates.
The spider only has two body parts besides their legs; the thorax and abdomen.
There are over 30,000 known and identifiable species of spiders in the world.

Some are the size of a dinner plate, while others are almost invisible with the human eye.

Spiders usually have eight eyes.

The brown recluse spiders have six eyes.
The wolf spider only has one set of eyes.

Every spider has venom in his fangs, which is how they kill their prey. But only a very few types of spiders have venom that is harmful to humans.
Despite the myth, daddy long legs do not have the most deadly venom to humans; it is very potent but not the deadliest.
In North America, the black widow and brown recluse spider are the most poisonous.
The tarantula, which is usually found in many tropical and desert regions worldwide, cannot hurt humans with their venom. The bite can be very painful but not deadly.

Did you know?

All spiders only bite humans when provoked or trapped between the skin and another object (typesofspiders.net).

Spider Venom

There are two different types of spider venom;

Neurotoxin- interferes with the nervous system

Can cause muscle cramps
Abdominal cramps
Vomiting
Respiratory difficulty

Necrotoxin- kills skin tissue

Can cause your skin to decay

Identifying the different types of spiders
These spiders have venom that can be harmful to humans;

These are some of the most common spiders;

For more spider types or to register to get your free spider identification poster, visit: http://www.spiderzrule.com/commonspidersusa.htm

How to identify a spider bite…

Content provided by; ehow.com

Look for a target-shaped area to develop if you are bitten by a black widow. The area will have a reddish ring with a pale middle.
Being bit by a black widow can cause cramping or muscle pain in your shoulders, abdomen, thighs, and back. This usually begins within two hours of being bitten.
If you are bite by a black widow you may experience a fever and/or chills a few hours after being bit.

Other symptoms could include; vomiting, nausea, headaches, sweating, feeling of anxiety.

If you are bitten by a brown recluse you will likely feel burning within the first 10 minutes of being bitten, you will then need to watch for the region of the bite to look like a bull’s eye ring. Usually a blister will develop in the center of the bull’s-eye. It will eventually break open and scab over.
A hobo spider bite is usually slow to heal. The wound looks like an elliptical shape and can sometimes be serious enough to require surgery to remove the necrotizing flesh before it becomes more engraved.
A sure sign of a tarantula bite is an intense pain. The bite will most likely feel like a wasp or bee sting.

Those who are most at risk of a spider bite leading to something more;

Small children
The elderly
Those who are already ill

Treating a Spider Bite

Content provided by: biteremedy.com
It is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention after any spider bite that has caused fever, nausea, shortness of breath, breathing difficulty, swelling, pain or any stiffness to the body.
Treatment options:

After you have been bitten you can apply soap and warm water to the bite area.
You can apply a cold wash cloth or ice pack on the bite to reduce swelling, redness or limb stiffness.
Do not take antibiotics unless the bite appears to be affected.
Do not take ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin to control symptoms. Consult with your doctor first.
Do not try to dissect or open the wound.
Avoid scratching the bite.
If you are bitten by a poisonous spider anti-venom treatment may be necessary.

Please note: ALWAYS consult your physician regarding any medication or treatment options.
Sources:
http://spiderfacts.net/index.html
http://www.typesofspiders.net/
http://www.typesofspiders.net/web_weaver_spiders/web_weaver_spiders.html
http://www.spiderzrule.com/commonspidersusa.htm
http://biteremedy.com/Spider-Bites.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_4586114_what-poisonous-spider-humans.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4885874_identify-spider-bite.html

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