Spider Bites

Widows (Lactrodectus)

• Non-specific: abdo pain, muscle spasms, sweating, hypertension, pulmonary edema
• Anti-venom available, not usually needed, supportive treatment only

Recluse (Loxosceles)

• Painless bite -> 24hrs later local swelling/erythema -> necrosis/eschar after 1 week (usually deeper, more ulcerated than anthrax)
• Systemic complications rare – acute intravascular hemolysis, renal failure

Funnel Web Spider

• Eastern Australia only
• Usually only pain, occasionally autonomic activation (cholinergic and andrenergic activity): arrhythmia, hypertension, hypersalivation, pulmonary edema, fasiculation
• Compression bandaging and immobilization
• Antivenom recommended