Do Spiders Cause Disease?
Spiders are eight-legged arthropods that belong to the class of arachnids. They are often blamed for causing infections, but most spider bites are actually caused by other arthropods. Despite this, spiders rarely bite humans.
In the past, many people thought spiders were vectors of bacteria. This has led to misdiagnoses, as well as unwarranted arachnophobia.
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside found that spiders are unlikely to transmit diseases to humans. However, some spider species are venomous and cause dermonecrotic wounds in humans. Several medical conditions can be mistaken for a spider bite.
Symptoms of a spider bite include a bump or red area on the skin. It can also cause itchiness and discomfort. If a person has a serious spider bite, it’s important to contact a health care provider.
Although some spiders are venomous, it’s not common for spiders to infect humans. Most spiders do not have long enough fangs to puncture skin. Instead, they usually bite only when they are trapped.
The most likely cause of necrosis in a wound is a spider bite. If a spider bite causes a severe reaction, the person may need to visit a hospital for treatment.
Severe stomach cramps, such as those that might be the result of an appendix rupture, can be confused for a spider bite. To avoid complications, open sores should be cleaned daily and treated with antibiotic cream.
Bacterial infection has often been blamed on spider bites, but there are few studies confirming the presence of bacteria on spiders. In a study of Brazilian recluse spiders, Clostridium perfringens was detected on the fangs of 16% of spiders.