MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Tarantula spider

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Tarantula spider

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Home Treatment Before Calling Emergency Poison Control, or a local emergency number What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Illustrations

Arthropods, basic features

Arachnids, basic features

Definition Return to top

Poisoning by a bite from a tarantula spider.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

tarantula spider venom (those found in the United States are not considered dangerous but may cause allergic reactions)

Where Found Return to top

tarantula spiders and related species

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

body as a whole
- pain similar to a bee or wasp sting at the site of the bite
- sense of swelling of lips and throat
respiratory
- difficulty breathing
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- angioedema (eye lid puffiness)
- skin temperature over the bite area tends to be warmer than the - surrounding area
skin
- redness
- rash
- itching ( usually caused by the penetration of barbed hairs)
- swelling at the site of the bite
heart and blood vessels
- rapid heart rate
- low blood pressure

Home Treatment Return to top

Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other suitable covering) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If patient has circulatory problems, decrease the time to prevent possible damage to the skin.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the spider
the time of the bite
the area of the body that was bitten

Poison Control, or a local emergency number Return to top

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses.

The patient should be taken to an emergency room for treatment if they show signs of an allergic reaction.

If possible, bring the spider to the emergency room for identification.

What to expect at the emergency room Return to top

Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Death in a normally healthy individual is uncommon. Recovery usually takes about a week.

Update Date: 2/23/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.