Spider Bite Treatment: What to Do and When to Get Help

Most spider bites are minor and self-limiting, causing temporary pain and swelling similar to other insect bites. In the United States, truly dangerous spider bites are rare (thankfully). We share how to spot the bites, spider bite treatment, prevention, and when to get help.

What Spider Bites Usually Look Like

Spider bites can vary depending on the type of spider, but common symptoms include:

• Pain and swelling at the bite site
• Redness or itching
• Mild burning or stinging
• A small puncture wound (often hard to see)

In many cases, spider bites includes symptoms that look just like mosquito or ant bites. They often heal on their own within a few days.

Spider Bite Treatment -First Aid (Most Cases)

If you suspect a spider bite but symptoms are mild:

1. Wash the area with soap and water
2. Apply a cold compress for 10–15 minutes to reduce pain and swelling
3. Elevate the area if possible
4. Use a soothing topical (see below)
5. Monitor for changes over the next 24–48 hours

Avoid scratching, which increases the risk of infection.

Topical Follow Up Treatments

After the initial cleanup, coat the bite with one of the following remedies.

Plantain

Plantain (plantago species) poultices can draw out venom before it has a chance to do damage. They can reduce swelling, prevent anaphylactic shock, or delay a severe reaction until medical care can be reached. Read Grandma Called it Medicine Leaf to learn more about plantain.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an effective treatment for spider bites. This alkaline substance can help draw out the venom, which will help reduce pain, itching and inflammation.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal has absorption properties that help draw out and remove toxic substances from the body.

Comfrey

Dr. Weil recommends comfrey poultices for the bites of brown recluse spiders. Learn more about comfrey in How to Use Comfrey Safely.

Meat Tenderizer

Meat tenderizer contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins (like the ones in your T-bone steak). But papain can also break down toxins from bug bites and cut back on itching. Use tenderizer only on mosquito bites, bee stings, and nonpoisonous spider bites.

Herbal Insect Bite/Sting Salve

This soothing salve is great to have on hand for bites and stings of all types.

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp Calendula Powder
• 1/2 tsp Comfrey Powder
• 1/2 tsp Chamomile Powder
• 1 tsp Plantain Powder
• 1 tsp Bentonite Clay
• Vodka, Witch hazel or Rubbing Alcohol
• 5 drops Tea Tree oil
• 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Directions

Mix all dry ingredients and store until needed. When you have a bite or sting, add the essential oils and enough liquid (vodka, alcohol or witch hazel) to make a thick paste. Apply salve to bite and leave on until dry. Reapply as needed.

See also: 20 Home Remedies for Bug Bites and Stings that Itch & Swell

When Spider Bites Are More Serious

A small number of spiders can cause more severe reactions. The two most commonly discussed in the United States are brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders.

Brown Recluse Spider Bites

Identification clues:

• Light to dark brown spider
• Distinct violin shape or violin shaped marking on the back
• Reclusive behavior (hides in shoes, boxes, basements)

Bite symptoms may include:

• Mild pain at first, worsening over hours
• Blistering or ulcer formation
• Tissue damage around the bite
• Fatigue, fever, or nausea in more serious cases

Brown recluse bites don’t always look severe at first, but worsening pain or skin breakdown is a reason to seek medical care. Brown Recluse spiders are common in South Carolina. I have had three friends who suffered greatly from their bites.

Black Widow Spider Bites

Identification clues:

• Shiny black body
• Distinct red hourglass shape on the abdomen

Bite symptoms may include:

• Immediate sharp pain
• Muscle pain and cramping, often spreading
• Abdominal pain or rigidity
• Sweating, nausea, or headache

Treatment may involve pain management and, in severe cases, muscle relaxants under medical supervision.

Other Spiders People Ask About

• Hobo spiders – formerly thought dangerous; current evidence suggests bites are typically mild
• Large house spiders – intimidating, but rarely harmful

Most spiders bite only when trapped or threatened – or when you accidentally roll over on them in your sleep.

Allergic Reactions and Emergency Symptoms

Seek medical help immediately if you notice:

• Difficulty breathing
• Facial or throat swelling
• Rapid heartbeat
• Severe allergic reactions
• Worsening pain, spreading redness, or fever

These symptoms may indicate an allergic response or secondary infection—not just a spider bite.

Preventing Spider Bites Inside Your Home

• Turn the light on in the closet before reaching your hand inside to grab your clothes
• Give all your clothes a good a shake before putting them on even if they have been hanging up
• Always shake out shoes and boots before sliding your foot in
• Wear long sleeves if moving through areas where spiders may be lurking
• Turn gloves and hats inside outside out and check for spiders or their eggs
• Wash or shake out any bedding that has been stored
• Thoroughly inspect sleeping bags before and after camping
• Keep your bed away from the wall and avoid using bed skirts and dust ruffles
• Vacuum curtains regularly to remove spiders, eggs and webbing
• Reduce clutter where spiders hide
• Don’t keep firewood stored inside

See Natural Spider Repellents for non-toxic insect repellents to deter spiders.

Spiders play an important role in controlling other insects, and most encounters don’t result in bites. Knowing how to respond—without panic—lets you handle spider bites confidently and appropriately. If symptoms escalate or don’t improve, trust your instincts and seek professional care.

Are spider bites a problem in your area? Have any tips for treating bites or avoiding getting bit? We’d love to hear them – just leave a comment below.

This post is by Amber Bradshaw of My Homestead Life. Amber and her family moved from their tiny homestead by the ocean in South Carolina to off grid in the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. You can read the book inspired by their story at “Survival on Shell Mountain“.

Originally published in 2016, last updated in 2026.