For some people, the thought of spiders alone can make your skin crawl. Many types of creepy crawly arachnids are common in Texas, but very few of them are venomous. Also, spider bites are relatively rare. So hopefully, that helps you sleep a little easier! Even though they are rare, it’s good to know what to do if you are bitten by a venomous spider. This blog post breaks down the types of venomous spiders in Texas, how to identify a spider bite, how to treat it, and tips for avoiding bites.
But first, a word of caution. Spider bites really are rare. Unless you saw the spider bite you, don’t jump to conclusions. Often, what you may think is a spider bite is, in fact, a reaction to food or medicine, a rash, acne or it could be a staph infection or other type of illness. At every Integrity Urgent Care location, our providers are prepared to help you care for your wound – whatever the cause.
Venomous Spiders in Texas
The state of Texas is home to two species of venomous spiders: the brown recluse and the black widow.
The Black Widow
The black widow is typically associated with the female’s typical black color with an hourglass shape on its underside (generally red or yellow). Male black widows are harder to identify because they’re brown and smaller. Black widows’ venom is more toxic than Texas prairie rattlesnakes, and if you are bitten, they can cause severe reactions in some cases.
The Brown Recluse
Brown recluse spiders are known for their fiddle-shaped head and gold-brown coloring. A brown recluse bite is known for the venom’s effect on the skin. The venom causes skin to necrotize (the death of your skin cells) at the location of the bite. The bites can have other symptoms as well.
