Spider Bite Treatment: Spiders scare the living daylights out of most of us, but what’s scarier than their not-so-appealing-appearance? Those nasty bites they leave behind spew as part of their natural defense mechanism. Most often this simple act of theirs results in bites that are accompanied by redness, swelling and itchiness. Spider bite treatments usually entail extracting the venom that was introduced into your body with the bite. This time, we are listing out several natural remedies that will offer respite from a spider bite.
Natural Home Remedies for Spider Bite Treatment
1. Baking Soda
When treating spider bites at home, baking soda does quite the trick. The alkaline powder helps to draw out the venom to which you attribute pain, itching and inflammation.
For this remedy:
- Mix in one teaspoon of baking soda with three teaspoons of water.
- Use a cotton ball to apply this paste onto the affected area.
- Allow it to stay on for about five minutes.
- Wash the area with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process after a few hours, once/if the discomfort returns.
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2. Onion
Spider bites on the arms, legs or face can be treated with onions. The enzymes that are present in onions have the ability to break down inflammatory compounds, thereby providing relief.
For this remedy:
- Cut an onion into slices.
- Rub these slices on the affected area.
- Leave it on for a few minutes.
- Remove the slices.
- Wash the area with lukewarm water.
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3. Potato
Starchy potato are also effective in providing relief from spider bites. It reduces the itching and also the inflammation. This is due to the soothing properties that potato possesses. It also keeps the affected areas moisturized, which in turn enhances the speed of healing.
For this remedy
- Peel a large potato and wash it well.
- Grate the potato.
- Into a piece of thin cloth, place a handful of the grated potato and tie it securely.
- Clean the affected area well with rubbing alcohol.
- Apply the potato poultice on it.
- Leave it on until the potato begins to dry.
- Repeat the previous two steps until the symptoms are gone.
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4. Olive Oil and Turmeric
Olive oil and turmeric, when paired up, speed up the healing process and offer immediate relief from spider bites. Redness and swelling are reduced when the following remedy is used.
For this remedy:
- Make a paste out of the olive oil and turmeric.
- Apply this paste onto the affected area.
- Leave it on for a few minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
Continue this treatment for about seven days or so as this will release the toxins. This combination also helps to relieve pain.
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5. Activated Charcoal
Another option for treating spider bites is activated charcoal. The innate absorption property that charcoal possesses draws out toxic substances from the body. Once the toxins are removed, the inflammation reduces, thereby speeding up the process of recovery.
For this remedy:
- To activated charcoal, add a few drops of water.
- Make a paste and apply it on the affected area.
- Keep the paste in place with the help of a bandage.
- Repeat this process every three hours to remove the toxins.
You may also use activated charcoal capsules but with your doctor’s advice.
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6. Aspirin
Give aspirin a try if you are looking for a quick way to treat spider bites. It helps in the reduction of soreness and symptoms of a spider bite. The anti inflammatory properties present in aspirin keep the swelling and inflammation under control. Keep in mind however that aspirin is suggested only for external use.
For this remedy:
- Soak a couple of aspirin tablets in clean water.
- Crush them finely so as to make a paste out of them.
- Apply this paste on the affected areas.
- Leave it on for a few hours.
- Wash the paste off with tepid water.
- Repeat this process twice a day or more if needed.
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7. Lemon
Lemon is not just an astringent but also helps to dry out skin rashes caused by spider bites if any. It has the ability to prevent the spreading of inflammation and further infections.
For this remedy:
- Extract the juice of a fresh lemon.
- Apply it to the affected area.
- Allow it to dry.
- Once dried, wash away with tepid water.
Another remedy you could try out:
- Take half a lemon
- Rub it on the affected area for two or three minutes.
- Five minutes later, wash it off.
Follow up with these remedies a few times a day for best results.
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8. Aloe Vera
With a multitude of benefits to squeeze out of this simple leaf, it doesn’t come to us as a surprise that it can be used to treat spider bites as well. Aloe vera contains antiseptic, anti inflammatory and soothing effects that can reduce pain and swelling effectively.
For this remedy:
- Pick out a fresh aloe vera leaf.
- Extract its gel.
- Apply this on to the affected areas.
- Reapply several times day for best results.
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9. Peppermint
You might also want to try peppermint as the herb boasts of anti inflammatory and analgesic properties. These helps to alleviate pain, swelling, inflammation and is great to reduce the itchiness caused by spider bites.
For this remedy:
- Extract peppermint juice and apply it on the affected areas.
- Leave it on for about fifteen to twenty minutes before you rinse it off.
- Repeat this process once or twice more if required.
- You could also apply two or three drops of peppermint oil directly on the affected area twice or thrice a day.
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10. Cabbage
Cabbage is a wonderful remedy for treating spider bites too. All you have to do, is take a couple of raw pieces of cabbage and proceed to rub it on the surface of the affected area. Hold the cabbage in place with a bandage and leave it right through the night. The following morning, remove the bandage. This one method helps to remove toxins effectively and is fairly simple to carry out.
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No, you won’t turn into spider man when bitten by one. But do act immediately if you have been bitten as the venom wrecks havoc on your system. In case these remedies did not offer any relief or the symptoms persist for longer than two days, seek for medical assistance. Also, always take note of the type of spider that leaves you with the bite as bites from some deadly spiders can harm one’s health and life.
Following are the types of spiders whose bites you need to immediately seek medical assistance for:
1. Black Widow Spider
2. Brown Recluse Spider
3. Brazilian Wolf Spider
4. Chilean Recluse Spider