BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuTarantula spider biteThis article describes the effects of a tarantula spider bite or contact with tarantula hairs. The class of insects contains the largest number of venomous species known.This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage a tarantula spider bite. If you or someone you are with is bitten, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient The venom of tarantulas found in the United States is not considered dangerous, but it may cause allergic reactions.Allergic reactionsAllergic reactions are sensitivities to substances called allergens that come into contact with the skin, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastroin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Where Found Tarantulas are found across the southern and southwestern regions of the United States. Some people keep them as pets. As a group, they are found mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. Symptoms If a tarantula bites you, you may have pain at the site of the bite similar to a bee sting. The area of the bite may become warm and red. When one of these spiders is threatened, it rubs its hind legs across its own body surface and flicks thousands of tiny hairs toward the threat. These hairs have barbs that can pierce human skin. This causes causing swollen, itchy bumps to form. Itching may last for weeks.If you are allergic to tarantula venom, these symptoms may occur:Breathing difficulty Breathing difficultyBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Loss of blood flow to major organs (an extreme reaction) Eyelid puffiness Itchiness Low blood pressure and collapse (shock) ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rapid heart rate Rapid heart rateA bounding pulse is a strong throbbing felt over one of the arteries in the body. It is due to a forceful heartbeat.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin rash Swelling at the site of the bite Swelling of the lips and throat Home Care Seek medical help right away.Wash the area with soap and water. Place ice (wrapped in a clean cloth or other covering) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If the person has blood flow problems, reduce the time the ice is used to prevent possible skin damage. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:Person's age, weight, and condition Type of spider, if possible Time of the bite Area of the body that was bitten Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.They will tell you if you should take the person to the hospital.If possible, bring the spider to the emergency room for identification. What to Expect at the Emergency Room The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The wound and symptoms will be treated.The person may receive:Blood and urine tests Breathing support, including oxygen, a tube through the mouth into the throat, and a breathing machine in serious cases. Chest x-ray ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing) Intravenous fluids (IV, or through a vein) Medicines to treat symptoms Any of the tiny hairs that remain on the skin can be removed with sticky tape. Outlook (Prognosis) Recovery most often takes about a week. Death from a tarantula spider bite in a healthy person is rare.Open ReferencesReferencesBoyer LV, Binford GJ, Degan JA. Spider bites. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 43.Curtis AM, Erickson TB. Venomous animal injuries. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 53.AllVideoImagesTogArthropods - basic features - illustration Many arthropods are capable of carrying disease. This illustration shows some of the general characteristics of arthropods. Arthropods - basic featuresillustrationArachnids - basic features - illustration This picture shows the basic features of spiders (arachnids).Arachnids - basic featuresillustrationArthropods - basic features - illustration Many arthropods are capable of carrying disease. This illustration shows some of the general characteristics of arthropods. Arthropods - basic featuresillustrationArachnids - basic features - illustration This picture shows the basic features of spiders (arachnids).Arachnids - basic featuresillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 7/1/2023 Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Tarantula spider biteThis article describes the effects of a tarantula spider bite or contact with tarantula hairs. The class of insects contains the largest number of venomous species known.This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage a tarantula spider bite. If you or someone you are with is bitten, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient The venom of tarantulas found in the United States is not considered dangerous, but it may cause allergic reactions.Allergic reactionsAllergic reactions are sensitivities to substances called allergens that come into contact with the skin, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastroin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Where Found Tarantulas are found across the southern and southwestern regions of the United States. Some people keep them as pets. As a group, they are found mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. Symptoms If a tarantula bites you, you may have pain at the site of the bite similar to a bee sting. The area of the bite may become warm and red. When one of these spiders is threatened, it rubs its hind legs across its own body surface and flicks thousands of tiny hairs toward the threat. These hairs have barbs that can pierce human skin. This causes causing swollen, itchy bumps to form. Itching may last for weeks.If you are allergic to tarantula venom, these symptoms may occur:Breathing difficulty Breathing difficultyBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Loss of blood flow to major organs (an extreme reaction) Eyelid puffiness Itchiness Low blood pressure and collapse (shock) ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rapid heart rate Rapid heart rateA bounding pulse is a strong throbbing felt over one of the arteries in the body. It is due to a forceful heartbeat.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin rash Swelling at the site of the bite Swelling of the lips and throat Home Care Seek medical help right away.Wash the area with soap and water. Place ice (wrapped in a clean cloth or other covering) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If the person has blood flow problems, reduce the time the ice is used to prevent possible skin damage. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:Person's age, weight, and condition Type of spider, if possible Time of the bite Area of the body that was bitten Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.They will tell you if you should take the person to the hospital.If possible, bring the spider to the emergency room for identification. What to Expect at the Emergency Room The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The wound and symptoms will be treated.The person may receive:Blood and urine tests Breathing support, including oxygen, a tube through the mouth into the throat, and a breathing machine in serious cases. Chest x-ray ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing) Intravenous fluids (IV, or through a vein) Medicines to treat symptoms Any of the tiny hairs that remain on the skin can be removed with sticky tape. Outlook (Prognosis) Recovery most often takes about a week. Death from a tarantula spider bite in a healthy person is rare.Open ReferencesReferencesBoyer LV, Binford GJ, Degan JA. Spider bites. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 43.Curtis AM, Erickson TB. Venomous animal injuries. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 53.