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Tarantula spider bite
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Abdominal hairs may be flicked a short distance when threatened
- Rarely penetrate human skin but can embed deeply into conjunctiva and cornea
- Bites can be painful but systemic symptoms other than fever are unusual
Clinical Features
- Local pain and irritation
Differential Diagnosis
Envenomations, bites and stings
- Mammalian bites
- Closed fist infection (Fight bite)
- Hymenoptera stings (bees, wasps, ants)
- Spider bites
- Brown recluse
- Black widow
- Tarantula
- Scorpion envenomation
- Marine toxins and envenomations
- Snake bites
Evaluation
- Usually clinical
- Red eye and pain after handling a tarantula necessitates an ocular exam
- Hairs may be difficult to detect on slit lamp
Management
- If suspicion for hairs embedded in cornea/conjunctiva, obtain ophtho consult as treatment may require surgical removal
- Embedded cutaneous hairs that are barbed may be removed with duct tape or cellophane tape followed by irrigation with sodium chloride.
- Urticarial reactions can be treated with oral antihistamines and/or topical/systemic corticosteroids.
Disposition
- Generally discharge
