Spider Bite Treatment

If a black widow spider bite, or brown recluse spider bite is suspected, you should see your doctor or go to an emergency department immediately.

• Wash the bite with soap and water and remove all jewelry. Swelling can occur and will make it difficult to remove some jewelry.
  
  
• Apply cool compresses.
  
  
• Take diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25- to 50-mg tablets every six hours for the itch.
  
  
• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol), one to two tablets every four hours, for pain. Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve). The pain resulting from a black widow spider bite is usually so severe that it will require strong pain medications such as opioids.
  
  
• Antibiotics are not helpful unless secondary infection develops.
  
  
• Do not cut into the wound or apply suction.
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• See a doctor as soon as possible.