Australia is home to a wide range of spiders, many of which play an important role in controlling populations of insects. However, if you are bitten by a spider, you need to get a consultation with a doctor if symptoms persist for a long time. Only a small number of species, like the redback spider, can produce venom, which can cause serious medical complications. However, the vast majority of spider bites can cause swelling, redness, and temporary discomfort.
The redback spider is the world’s most venomous spider. It has a red stripe on the spider’s back. It belongs to the Latrodectus genus and also includes the black widow spider. Females are venomous and can cause a painful bite if threatened, while males are not considered dangerous and are much smaller.
Redback spiders have unique physical characteristics, making them easy to identify. The adult female redback spider comes with a black body and a red stripe on the upper abdomen, which resembles an hourglass shape. The body length of the female lies between 1 cm and 1.5 cm, and she has long legs.
On the other hand, the male redback spider is smaller than the female, and their body length lies between 3mm and 4mm. The body of the male is lighter in color with white markings and does not have a specific red stripe on the abdomen. The physical characteristics of male and female redback spiders may vary slightly.
A redback spider bite can cause redness, intense localised pain, and swelling around the bitten area. Here are other common signs of a redback spider bite:
Redback spider bites are frequent but not fatal. The signs can last from several hours to a few days and include sharp pain. Initially, you may experience mild discomfort, which sometimes goes unnoticed. However, if you notice redback spider bite symptoms, you can seek help from a Glenroy GP at Magnus Medical Clinic.
Around 10,000 people are bitten by a redback spider each year. If you are bitten by a redback spider, you need to remain calm. Apply ice or a cold pack to the area to help reduce pain and control swelling. After that, you should seek medical attention. Hospitalisation isn’t always required, but it’s advisable to get professional help.
Avoid anything that puts pressure on the bite area or restricts blood flow, like a tourniquet or a tightly applied bandage. Redback venom spreads slowly, and applying pressure or restricting circulation could actually intensify the pain.
If possible, try to find and keep the spider that caused the bite so medical professionals can identify it (in case antivenom is needed). It doesn't need to be alive, just enough remains for identification. Just be sure to handle it carefully to avoid getting bitten again—multiple redback bites can be more dangerous.
A redback spider bite feels like a stinging, sharp, or burning pain at the bite site, which may be followed by swelling and redness. The pain may spread over several hours to the regional lymph nodes and muscle aches.
Conclusion
Redback spider bites cause sharp pain, swelling, and redness, with symptoms lasting from a few hours to several days. While most bites are not life-threatening, seeking medical attention is important if symptoms persist or worsen.
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