What You Need to Know About Spider Bites

Out of around 60 species of spiders that bite humans, only the black widow and brown recluse can be fatal. Dr. Jamie Kondis, Pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, walks through what you need to know about spider bites, including how to identify them, what steps to take if your child is bitten, and how to best avoid them. Indications of spider bites include bite or fang marks, redness and swelling and, if it’s a poisonous spider bite, the affected area will quickly show a blue discoloration that spreads to surrounding tissues. If you believe your child has been bitten by a poisonous spider, apply ice or a cold washcloth to the site to slow the spread of the poison and visit the hospital emergency room immediately.

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The St. Louis Children’s Hospital YouTube station is intended as a reference and information source only. If you suspect you have a health problem, you should seek immediate care with the appropriate health care professionals. The information on this website is not a substitute for professional care, and must not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. For help finding a doctor, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Answer Line may be of assistance at 314.454.KIDS (5437). The opinions expressed in these videos are those of the individual writers, not necessarily St. Louis Children’s Hospital or Washington University School of Medicine. BJC HealthCare and Washington University School of Medicine assume no liability for the information contained in this website or for its use.