Spider bites first aid
Whether you’re a city slicker or love exploring the outback, it's important to know spider bites first aid.
Spiders are part of our everyday lives here in Australia and can be found at home and when we’re out and about.
We’ve put together this guide to the treatment of spider bites and first aid so you know what to do if you or someone else is bitten.
We’ll start by talking you through the types of spiders found in Australia and how to know if they’re dangerous.
Which spiders should I look out for?
Australia has around 2,000 species of spider. While most are not dangerous to humans, some species are venomous.
The Sydney funnel-web spider is considered the most dangerous of all Australian spiders. This is a black spider 1.5 to 5 cm long. The male has distinctive spurs on its second pair of legs. This spider can be found in New South Wales and tends to burrow in quiet, humid places.
There are around 40 species of funnel-web spider in Australia, though only six of these are venomous.
If someone is bitten by any type of funnel-web spider or other big black spider, get help immediately. Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Other venomous spiders to look out for include:
- Redback spiders — around 1 cm long, black with distinctive red stripes on their backs
- Mouse spiders — 1 to 3 cm, black with red jaws
- White tail spiders — 1 to 2 cm long, grey or black with a white spot on its tail end
Check out this spider identification chart to learn more about Australian spiders.
If you are helping someone who has been bitten, try to take a photo of the spider if possible. This will help medical staff identify it and offer the most appropriate treatment.
Spider bite first aid in Australia
Treatment will depend on what kind of spider the casualty has been bitten by. First, it’s important to recognise the symptoms of different types of spider bite.
General spider bite symptoms
- Pain where the person has been bitten
- Heavy sweating
- Abdominal pain
Funnel-web, other big black spider and mouse spider bite additional symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Streaming eyes
- Twitching
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid pulse
- Increased blood pressure
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
Redback spider bite additional symptoms
- Severe pain where the person has been bitten, which spreads
- Body hairs standing on end
- Headache
- Muscle spasms and/or weakness
Other spider bite symptoms
- Swelling
- Blistering and/or burning feeling of skin
First aid for funnel-web and mouse spider bites
- Follow DRSABCD. This is a protocol that will guide you through a medical emergency.
- Get the patient to lie down and keep still.
- If the bite was on an arm or a leg, apply a compression bandage.
- If you don’t have a compression bandage, you can apply a regular bandage just over the bite. Then, apply a second one, starting at the fingers or toes and extending as far up the limb as possible. The bandages should be applied tightly so that you can’t slide a finger underneath.
- Keep the limb immobile with splints.
- Record the time of the bite and when you put the bandage on.
First aid for redback and other spider bites
- Wash the bitten area with soap and water.
- Apply an ice pack to the site for 15 minutes.
- If pain persists, apply for another 15 minutes.
- If symptoms worsen, get medical help.
Anaphylactic shock
Spider bites can sometimes cause a severe allergic reaction. This is known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Hoarse voice
- Swollen tongue
- Feeling faint
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- In children, appearing pale and floppy
If the casualty shows signs of anaphylactic shock, dial Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.
How can I avoid spider bites?
Follow these tips to avoid being bitten by spiders:
- When gardening, cover up by wearing long sleeves, trousers and closed shoes.
- Don’t walk barefoot outside.
- Before putting on your shoes, check for spiders.
- Avoid storing clothes on the floor. If you do, check for spiders before wearing them.
You can reduce the chances of spiders entering your house by:
- Clearing vegetation from doors and windows
- Fitting draught strips to doors
- Installing fly screens to windows
Be prepared for spider bites by investing in a first aid kit. You can browse the MediBC range of first aid kits or choose our snake and spider bite kit. It contains all the items you need, including an instruction card with steps to treat the casualty.
Have a first aid kit to hand
Rest assured that most spiders in Australia are harmless. But there are a few species that can deliver a nasty bite. Be prepared by knowing how to give spider bite first aid.
Make sure you have a first aid kit to hand in your home, vehicle or workplace. Giving rapid first aid is essential when someone has been bitten by a venomous spider.
MediBC offers a wide range of first aid kits, including specialist spider bite kits, to help you deal with an emergency. To know more, get in touch with our friendly team.
Spider Bite First Aid Kits
Snake and spider bite kits, pressure bandages, and family kits to respond to Australian spider bites.
