There’s nothing scarier than being bitten by an eight-legged buddy, right? The whole experience is just terrible when it becomes quite sticky and painful at the same time. Luckily, among 3000 types of spiders in the U.S, just about three of them have strong venom that can threaten your life. Therefore, you can rely on some home remedies for Spider Bites that are already available in the house.

Before gaining more insights into these natural treatments, let’s learn more about what those spider bites look really like:

What are Spider Bites?

Most of the spiders do not bite the human in normal circumstances but rather due to their mechanism for defense when being provoked.

When people experience spider bites, normally there are only light reactions such as small swelling with a little bit of itchiness and inflammation^[1].

However, there are also deadly poisonous spiders such as Black Widow. It is deadly because their venom can cause harmful consequences for people who are beaten. The consequences can escalate and become severe quickly, follow by chain reactions from local to systemic which can be fatal.

As you know, in the U.S, this black widow spider and the brown recluse one are two of the most concerning insects when it comes to spider bites. But the great news is that not many severe medical complications and fatality from these bites are common. It’s possible to say that such spiders don’t often move around looking to bite you.  

Only when they’re caught between the object and your skin, they’re more likely to bite you. For instance, if there’s a pair of boots you haven’t worn for a while and then you put the foot into the boot, that spider is trapped between your foot and the boot surface.

What cause Spider Bites?

There are 3 kinds of spider which are considered as the most poisonous:

• Black Widow
• Brown Recluse
• Tarantula

For black widow spiders, their venom is labeled neurotoxin as it mainly attacks the nervous system^[2]. Incidents often happened in the summer and sometimes in early autumn. Their webs are usually spotted under the rocks or logs or even in dark places of your garages. These spiders will not bite unless their webs are disturbed and bothered.

For brown recluse spiders, their venom can cause severe damage and even break down the tissues and skin (necrosis). Their characteristics are also similar to the black widow, but they often enter houses for hunting and hide in dark places^[3]. For tarantula, their hair can pierce through skin and inject the victims with their venom.

Why do those spiders bite you?

There’s one thing for sure about those little buddies: Spiders won’t feed on you and only bite as a kind of defense mechanism. So these spider bites are pretty rare to see, especially when the spiders are not the kinds of bloodsucking creatures at all.

They simply bite whenever they feel surprised and suddenly feel themselves being trapped by the human, like in your jacket or even in the closet at times. For instance, put your hand or foot into any place where a spider is living, such as your shoes. This action will surprise the creature and stimulate it to attack you.  

Moreover, most of these creatures own the fangs that appear so small that they can penetrate your skin. Though it’s true that spiders can use their venom to kill the preys, and most of them are venomous, these venoms are not designed to kill big preys like us, humans. In other words, a spider bite simply causes a human nothing than an insect bite.

And among the dangerous spiders, you must watch out are only the two spiders: Widow spiders and recluse spiders. Fortunately, these bites from these twos are pretty rare in the U.S. For this reason, you can think of using home remedies for spider bites, which is much easier and simpler than other treatments.

Possible symptoms from spider bites

Like several times, it’s not easy to spot what kind of spider has bit you in reality since you can’t see the bite until hours are spent after it really occurred. Besides, it’s difficult to tell a difference from a typical spider bite from other bug bites. If so, then what does an average spider bite look like? Well, it might be like other bug bites, which is a red and swollen bump. And it’s also itchy and aching!

In case you are beaten by one of those deadly poisonous spiders, there will symptoms such as:

Massive swelling with intense pain as well as stiffness which can lead to muscle spasms. Other symptoms such as having the fever or chill coming with abdominal pain which can sometimes lead to vomit, lightheadedness, and troubles with breath. Depending on the type of spider, the venom, and the body’s reaction, the intensity of symptom will vary.

Normally, bites appear to be harmless at first; however, it can get serious fairly quick after a period of time. Then what if a black widow spider bites you?

Look at that spider and see whether it’s plump and black with an hourglass body or not right in its abdominal area. These symptoms are comprised of:

• Ache and burns at the bite region that often begins for one hour of getting bitten.
• The pain tends to show up around your bite area, but then it’s spread into your chest, back, and even the abdominal area.
• Cramping in the abs or the rigidity that can be easily mistaken for the ruptured appendix.
• The excessive production of sweating and saliva.
• A headache
• High blood pressure
• Nausea or vomit
• The inability to relax

Then what about the bite of a brown recluse spider? This creature owns six eyes and a violin shape right on the back. Below are the most common symptoms of this spider:

• Pain and itchiness that will raise within the initial eight hours of getting bitten.
• A bite comes with a blister in the center that can scab and fall off later, which then leaves a little ulcer.
• High temperature
• Intense chills and aches all over the body
• These bites naturally recover on their own for one week.
• At times, your skin in the midst of the bite would get darker or purple before turning into a much broader and open sore. This will enlarge gradually once the surrounding skin dies.
• That gastric ulcer often pauses developing for ten days after the bite appears, but your full recovery can take even months.
• The death of a sizeable region of your skin would result in a deep ulcer.
• Kids are at risk for allergic sensitivity to the venom.  

The most crucial step for treating bites from spiders is that you need to have the bites neutralized immediately and as soon as possible removing the toxins from spiders’ venom.

In case you believe that the bites you get are from one of those deadly poisonous spiders above, it is an emergency and you will have to seek support medically as fast as you can, or your life will be in extreme danger.

But how long does it take to heal from a spider bite? As I said above, this based on what kind of spider bite you and the particular sensitivity to that venom. But most of the spider bites can go away only within one week. In this case, home remedies for spider bites are enough! Once you see any gentle and typical spider bite signs (ache, itchiness, and inflammation). But note that these natural remedies are only the tickets you take to find relief back.

And if you’re aware that you’ve bitten by a poisonous spider, then get head straight to find medical attention or your doctor. When the bite doesn’t seem too much serious, take a few good ideas as below:

Top 17 home remedies for spider bites

Here are the top 17 most effective home remedies for spider bites which you can easily apply at home in order to reduce the symptoms of spider bites and improve the healing process…

1. Ice Pack

After being beaten by spiders, immediately cleanse the wound with water and soap. After that, place an ice pack on the injury, which is one of the most effective home remedies for spider bites you can’t ignore. The coldness will help decrease inflammation and swelling, ease the itching feeling through numbing the nerve endings.

How to use:

• Use a towel to wrap few ice cubes before placing onto the wound for about 10 minutes. Redo for few times within the first 24 hours after being beaten.
• Another option is to place your wound under cold water for couples of minutes.

Note: Avoid placing ice cubes directly onto skin. For more information about the applications of the ice pack, please read Home Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Abscess Tooth.

2. Baking Soda

It can help remove the toxin from venom through alkalization, thus sooth pain and ease inflammation as well as itching sensation^[4]. Among many home remedies for spider bites out there, baking soda is a reliable method you can trust.

How to use:

• Make a solution from a teaspoon of baking soda with 3 teaspoons of water.
• Use a cotton ball to apply the solution to the wound.
• After 5 minutes, cleanse with warm water.
• Perform again within few hours in case you still feel uncomfortable.

For information about the benefits and problems which baking soda can treat, please read Home Remedies for Tinea Versicolor and Scar Removal.

3. Salt

Among these home remedies for spider bites, which one will get rid of the poisonous substance from the spider’s venom? The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of salt can help remove the toxin from the venom quickly. As a result, it can improve the healing as well as reduce redness and ease the inflammation.

How to use:

• After cleansing the wound with warm water, put some salt on a piece of wet cloth.
• Use the wet salt cloth to cover the wound for few hours.
• Perform again if needed.

Salt is a common household item but it can treat multiple problems, you can find out more at Home Remedies for Neck Pain and Puffy Eyes.

4. Activated Charcoal

The absorption property of activated charcoal is extremely effective at remove toxin from the venom, which significantly promotes a quick healing with a decrease in tenderness and inflammation.

How to use:

• Make a paste from water and activated charcoal. After cleansing the wound carefully, apply the paste onto it and cover using the bandage. Perform the procedure for every 3 hours for 1 day. Repeat the process the day after if needed.
• Another option is taking activate charcoal pills after consulting the doctor.

5. Potato

The soothing and anti-irritating properties from potato can effectively decrease the inflammation as well as the itching sensation and further moisturize the wound area in order to improve the healing^[5][6].

How to use:

• Have a potato washed, peeled and grated.
• Use a piece of cloth to wrap some wet shreds of potato.
• After cleansing the wound using alcohol, put the cloth containing potato onto it.
• After the potato dries out, cleanse the wound area with warm water.
• Perform the procedure again with fresh potato until the symptoms are mostly reduced.

6. Aspirin

Among other surprising home remedies for spider bites, aspirin owns some amazing benefits for your bump. The anti-inflammatory property of aspirin can help neutralize the toxin of venom, thus reduce significantly inflammation and swelling and promote quick healing.

How to use:

• Make a paste from water and some aspirin.
• Directly apply the paste onto the wound.
• After few hours, cleanse with warm water.
• Perform again for 1 to 2 times in case you feel needed.

7. Turmeric

Once seeing the redness increases in the central bite, then some home remedies for spider bites would save you at this time. Pick turmeric! The antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric are excellent in soothing pain and reduce inflammation as well as pain^[7][8].

How to use:

• Make a paste of turmeric powder and olive oil. Directly apply the paste onto the wound. After about 10 minutes, cleanse with warm water.
• Another option is to add some neem leaves into the process of making the paste. Again apply the paste onto the wound. After about 20 minutes, cleanse with warm water.
• Perform these remedies for couples of time.

8. Lemon Juice

Considered an astringent from nature, it can effectively make skin rashes caused by spiders’ bites dry as well as control infections. The juice also can help reduce itchiness and ease the inflammation and swelling, which is as good as other home remedies for spider bites.

How to use:

• Extract juice from a lemon and use a cotton ball to apply the juice onto the wound. After the juice dries out, cleanse the wound area with warm water.
• Another option is taking a fresh piece of lemon and rubbing directly onto the wound. After about 5 minutes, cleanse the area.
• Perform those remedies for couples of time per day.

9. Aloe Vera

The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties in Aloe Vera can moisturize the wound area and sooth any pain or reduce swelling with itchiness^[9][10].

Like the use of other home remedies for spider bites, you can apply the aloe vera ointment of its fresh juice for the best result. However, apart from this self-treatment, we still recommend you to look for one more professional attention, especially when you’re bitten by a brown recluse spider.

How to use:

• Extract gel from fresh Aloe Vera leaves.
• Directly apply the gel onto the wound.
• Perform for few times for couples of day.

10. Peppermint

What’s more quality home remedies for spider bites you can use? Think about peppermint right away! The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint are great at decreasing swelling as well as relieving inflammation and pain. Itching sensation from spiders’ bites can also be eased with this herb.

How to use:

Extract juice from fresh leaves and rub it onto the wound. After 20 minutes, cleanse with cool water. Perform for 1 to 2 times more if needed.

Another option is put few drops of extracted oil onto the wound for couples of time per day.

Note: Remember to test for peppermint oil allergy by doing a sampling test before applying.

11. Basil oil and lavender oil

Its leaves can effectively relieve the itching feeling from bites of spiders. You can take few crushed leaves to rub directly on the wound. All of the benefits and information about basil come straight from the actor Clint Walker. According to him, it’s considered one of the best home remedies for spider bites, especially for a brown recluse spider.

You can use the essential oil, or the basil plant oil to use internally or externally. If you live in a region where there are a lot of spiders, you might love to store a big container of basil oil in your fridge. So if it happens, then take instant action by growing this plant in your garden.

How to use:

• Clean your wound carefully before placing basil essential oil in your bite region, or merely the oil from the plant you grow. Then tape a pad over the injury and ensure to change it three or four times per day.
• Make basil tea many times a day and then drink it up. Extract the basil oil to make your tea.

12. Cabbage

This vegetable is proven to be very effective against the symptoms of spiders’ bites. Take some cabbage leaves and grate them. Put the grated leaves on the wound and keep it through the night. It will help you neutralize the toxin and control infections.

13. Hydrogen Peroxide

Known as one of the best home remedies for spider bites, Hydrogen Peroxide can reduce your infection effectively. The antibacterial property in it is excellent for treating bites from insects especially spiders. You can use this solution to cleanse the wound area.

14. Antibiotic Cream

If it’s a traditional treatment as compared to other home remedies for spider bites, then you’re recommended to take antibiotics or antibiotic cream. The cream or lotion with antibiotic property can treat effectively infections from insect bites especially at small children.

15. Garlic

Garlic, among several other effective home remedies for spider bites, can help you relieve significantly from symptoms of those terrible bites. You can slice few cloves of garlic and put them directly onto the wound. Use bandage for covering and keep it through the night.

16. Witch hazel

Similar to some home remedies for spider bites I’ve mentioned here, witch hazel is also well-known for its healing and astringent properties. In other words, any bug bite of all types, even the spider bites, the soothing and astringent power of the hazel can make itself a fantastic treatment.

Try to apply the witch hazel to your bite region a few times per day for the best reduction of your itchiness, redness, and inflammation. Or if not, let’s try out some anti-itch cream products since they also contain the witch hazel, baking soda, honey, and apple cider vinegar.

17. Wintergreen essential oil

Another great candidate to treat your bite is wintergreen essential oil, which is known for its pain-relieving properties. These elements make itself an optimal choice to handle your painful and itchy spider bite. Let’s blend the wintergreen oil with your carrier oil if you have. But why? That’s because using it along only irritates your skin. 

Only avail a little amount of wintergreen essential oil before beginning the treatment. It’s best to keep about one or two drops and then mix it into your essential oils. They could be the coconut, almond, jojoba, or olive oil. Rub the mixture into your skin for quicker relief.  

Extra Tips:

• Keep closed monitor on the wound to observe the healing of symptoms while you’re using home remedies for spider bites.
• Always try to remember the features of the spiders to help identify the correct treatment.
• Remember to put on clothes which can cover you as much as possible when handling works in dark places or forests. Moreover, take extra caution when clearing out your garages, attics or basements with dark spots.
• Always check the tools for gardening carefully before starting using.
• Prevent spiders from entering houses by putting up tight-fitting screens on all doors and windows.
• Get rid of old clothes or boxes from your storage to inhibit spiders.
• Avoid placing rocks in your garden.

Last but not least, never try to scratch your spider bite region. Doing so can help diminish the risk of infection for real. Also, if you keep scratching, then your bite can become redder, more swollen, and itchy. If possible, you need to raise the area of the body where you’ve got a bite to relieve the swelling. For instance, if you’ve got the bite right on the leg or arm, make sure to raise that affected region.

Conclusion

To prevent your wound from getting worse in the first place, it’s a great idea to start using any of the above home remedies for spider bites. They can help calm down that bite pretty fast due to their soothing and healing properties. However, we still recommend you to take prevention as a priority, such as shaking out your shoe, gloves, clothes, and blankets before you use them. Be careful when they’re stored in one place for a while, since you can encounter some spiders anytime.