Spider bites and scorpion stings

In general

Children can easily be bitten by spiders. This can be very painful, but is rarely dangerous, although there are a few important exceptions, including black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders.

Black Widow spiders are about one half inch long and can be identified by the red hourglass mark on their abdomen (do not go looking for it).

Black widow spiders and their relatives can be found almost anywhere in the Western hemisphere of the world in damp and dark places. Their favorite places are "hidden areas" like wood piles, tree stumps, trash piles, storage sheds, barns, fruit and vegetable gardens, stone walls, and under rocks.

If they come inside, they will go to dark places like basements, corners of closets, garages, or behind furniture. They are shy by nature and bite only when trapped, sat on, or accidentally touched.

Upon biting, the spider injects a poisonous venom. The venom is a toxin to the nervous system and causes severe symptoms.

Brown Recluse Spider is the common name for a small brownish spider found mainly in the central and southern United States. It is also known as the violin spider because it has a distinct violin-shaped patch on its body.

Besides the black widow spider and certain related species, the brown recluse spider is the only other spider found in the United States whose bite can be dangerous to humans, especially to children and elderly persons.

There are approximately 40 different types of scorpions in the United States, but the only one that can cause dangerous toxic reactions in children is a little yellow scorpion known as the Arizona Bark Scorpion. 

Home treatment

Most spider bites and scorpion stings provoke only mild reactions and the attention of a doctor is not necessary.

• Wash the bite/sting area with soap and water; or wipe with a topical disinfectant. 
• Apply an ice pack or a cool cloth to the bite wound/sting to relieve the pain and reduce swelling. 
• Elevate the body part that has been bitten or stung because this delays any spreading of the poison. 
• Give pain relief medicine with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. 
• If the child has been bitten by a black widow, anti-venom medication may be needed; if bitten by a brown recluse, corticosteroids may be helpful. An experimental anti-venom active against the Arizona bark scorpion is only available in Arizona, but is not approved by the FDA. All children bitten by these insects should be brought to a medical facility immediately for the appropriate treatment.

When to seek medical advice

See the doctor immediately or call 911 if:

• The child shows signs of serious allergic reaction caused by the bite such as swelling of the face or mouth, problems swallowing or speaking, breathing difficulties, dizziness, feeling faint, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. 
• The child develops hives after being bitten. 
•  You believe the child has been bitten by a brown recluse or black widow spider. 
•  The child has been stung by a scorpion. 

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

• You suspect the bite area is infected; or the bite wound is unusually large, or painful. It is often difficult to know if the local reaction is due to the bite, itself, or due to a secondary infection. If you are uncertain, contact your doctor.