General 

All spiders are venomous – only a few have bites dangerous to humans. The most dangerous spiders in North America are; the Black Widow, Brown Recluse, Tarantulas, Sac, and a Funnel-Web Spider.

Spider Bite Avoidance

Consider the following:

• Check your footwear and clothing every morning,
• Check your sleeping bag and tent before entering,
• Be cautious when turning over rocks and logs,
• Sleep in a tent or with bug netting – under the stars is for cowboys,
• Keep your tent zipped up tight at all times – even when empty,

The Nasty

Each type of spider bite creates a different set of symptoms, which may include:

• Discolouration and swelling,
• Muscle pains, aches and cramps,
• Weakness,
• Itching,
• Sweating,
• Headache,
• Anxiety,
• Rash,
• Nausea,
• Vomiting,
• Fever,
• Chills,
• Difficulty breathing,
• Increased blood pressure,
• Blisters that break open,
• Ulcers that scab over.

Treatment

There is no specialized treatment. Consider the following:

• Wash the wound with soap and water – to prevent infection,
• Treat all symptoms as needed.
• Antihistamines such as Benadryl can reduce swelling
• Antibiotic creams applied to the wound can prevent infection from spreading