Hobo Spider Bite that is considered one of the most dangerous spiders bites one could stumble upon. A Hobo Spider Bite causes some alarming symptoms, which could lead to blisters and ulcers if ignored.
When Peter Parker got bit by a radioactive spider, he turned into Spiderman. Well, even though we hope for the story to get real someday, the probability of this happening, in reality, is next to impossible. When we get bit by a spider in real life, we get pain, scars, nausea, and vomiting.
But, the question is, what is a hobo spider? A hobo spider is a member of the Eratigena Agretis family.
It is believed that the spider was originally found in Europe and found their way to America through cargo shipments and vessels. Often confused with Brown Recluse spider, Hobo spiders have now expanded throughout America.
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What Does A Hobo Spider Bite Look Like?
About half of the bites are dry meaning no venom is injected. If you belong to the lucky half population, you might not see any symptoms.
But if you are one of the unfortunate ones, the venom of that spider now flows in your body. Either way, you need to know what a Hobo Spider Bite looks like.
- The area of the bite becomes red and inflamed.
- For the first 24 hours, the bite will resemble the mosquito bite.
- After some time, the blister will form in the center of the bite. That blister will break open and liquid will ooze out.
- Usually, these bites are minor and don’t have any serious effects but sometimes there can be a fresh hole or an erupting lesion. This is because of the dead tissue.
- The lesion ranges from the size of a pea to that of a half dollar and sometimes even bigger.
- After the dead tissue peels off, you can see underlying tissue of the bite.
- An ugly scar is just a reminder that your bite is healed.
Symptoms Of Hobo Spider Bite
The first step towards the treatment of any disease is the identification of symptoms.
Here are the few of them, in case the venom is injected, that will help you identify the bite:
1. Redness
Initially, the redness is limited to a small area, similar to that of a mosquito bite. Slowly, it expands and till it is fully grown, it covers an area of about 2 to 4 inches.
2. Blisters
A blister starts growing in the center of the bite. Liquid oozes out after rupturing of the blister. After the rupture, there is subsequent ulceration. The ulceration, on healing, leaves a scar on the skin.
3. Dead Skin
In some very rare cases, the necrosis of the tissue occurs. This might happen I you have pre-existing medical problems.
4. Systemic Symptoms
These are the commons symptoms including pain, swelling, headaches, nausea, rapid heart rate, fever, and vomiting. In the case of severe allergic reactions, there can be dry mouth, lethargy, joint aches, weakness, blurry visions, chest and abdomen pain, and Hallucinations.
Stages of Hobo Spider Bite
There are 3 stages of Hobo Spider Bite
1. Stage 1: Redness
The bite of a Hobo Spider is painless so you might not even know that you are bitten. The bite becomes noticeable only when the skin reacts to the spider redness and gets hardened and turns red. These are visible after 30 minutes of the actual bite.
2. Stage 2: Blisters
The skin surrounding the bite site gets hardened and the redness increase. Then, the blisters will eventually break open and the liquid will be discharged. This usually happens after 12 to 48 hours of the bite.
3. Stage 3: Scab
After the blisters are ruptured, scabs are formed. The scab will become more pronounced. It will eventually fall off. Within 3 weeks, your bite will be healed. Sometimes, if there is a severe case of tissue damage, it might take more than a year for the lesion to completely heal.
How To Identify A Hobo Spider?
- It is brown in color.
- It has short hairs on legs. There are no distinct rings on the legs.
- Their abdomen has chevron-shaped markings.
- Males have two large palps that resemble boxing gloves. They are male genitalia but these are often mistaken for fangs or venom sacs.
- It is 12 to 18 mm long approximately.
- Females too have these palps but unlike in males, they are not swollen.
- Males have a smaller abdomen as compared to females.
How To Treat Hobo Spider Bites Naturally?
In most of the cases, Hobo Spider Bites are not severe and the only essential First Aid is to clean the local wound so that bacteria don’t find their way inside your body through the bite. There are a number of antivenins and topical antibiotics that are applied on spider bites.
If required, a tetanus shot can be given to the patient. If the bite damages your skin tissue, skin grafting might be required. In case your wound does not heal or gets worse, contact your doctor immediately.
If the spider bite has caused some severe venom infection, surgery might become necessary, but that happens rarely. The affected skin will have to remove using oral, topical or injectable corticosteroids.
The most important form of treatment for the Hobo Spider Bite is the Home Remedies.
Given below are some of the most basic remedies from basic ingredients found in every kitchen:
1. Ice Pack
If you are bitten by a spider, the first thing you need to do is clean the wound with mild soap. Don’t use hot water; it might spread the venom. Then, apply ice pack on the area of the bite. The cold will numb the nerve endings, soothing the itching sensation and reducing the swelling and inflammation.
Method
- Wrap the ice cubes in a thin towel and place it on the bite for about 10 minutes.
- Don’t put the ice directly on the skin. Repeat this frequently for the first 24 hours.
- If you can’t find ice, you can try putting the affected area under cool running water for few minutes.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most effective treatments for Spider bites. The alkaline nature of the soda will help in drawing out the venom and also reduce pain, inflammation, and itching.
Method
- Just mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 3 teaspoons of water.
- Apply this mixture for 5 minutes on the affected area with the help of a cotton ball.
- Then wash the area with lukewarm water. Repeat after a few hours.
3. Salt
Salt has great antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, so it is an easy remedy. It draws out the venom effectively and results in quick recovery. It also reduced redness and inflammation.
Method
- Wash the area with lukewarm water.
- Sprinkle some salt on a wet washcloth and bandage this washcloth to the infected area for few hours and then remove it.
- Reapply, if needed.
4. Activated Charcoal
Activated Charcoal has an innate absorption property that draws out toxic substances from the body. After the venom is out, the inflammation and redness are reduced automatically.
Method
- Make a paste of activated charcoal and water.
- Clean the water with water and then apply the paste on the affected area.
- Put a bandage over the paste. Repeat every 3 hours to neutralize the toxin. You can also take activated charcoal capsules.
5. Potatoes
One of the easiest and effective ways to treat spider bite is to use a starchy potato. Due to its anti-irritating and soothing properties, it can easily bring down itching and inflammation. It encourages quick healing by keeping the affected area moisturized.
Method
- Peel a potato and wash it thoroughly. Grate it and put a handful of these into a piece of thin cloth and tie it.
- Clean the affected area using alcohol, and put the cloth on it.
- Leave it until the potato starts drying. Discard the cloth and clean the area with warm water.
- Repeat the process with new grated potatoes.
6. Aspirin
Aspirin can help you get relieved from minor symptoms of spider bites. It promotes quick recovery by neutralizing the venom. Its strong anti-inflammatory properties help control swelling and inflammation.
Method
- Soak 1 or 2 aspirin tablets in water so it forms a paste.
- Apply this paste on the affected area.
- Leave it for few hours and then wash it with lukewarm water.
- Repeat twice as needed.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural painkiller. It has antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It reducing pain, inflammation, and swelling.
Method
- Add olive oil to 1 to 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder to form a paste.
- Apply this to the affected area. Let it sit there for 10 minutes and then wash it off.
- Also, you can mix some Indian lilac (neem) leaves with 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and make a thick paste using water.
- Apply it on the area of the bite and wash it off after 20 minutes.
8. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can help reduce the itching, swelling, and inflammation. It is a natural astringent. It quickly dries out skin rashes and prevents infection.
Method
- Extract the juice and apply it on the affected area using cotton.
- After it has dried, rinse it off. Or you can just take a lemon and rub it on the affected area for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Wait for 5 minutes and then rinse it. Repeat this few times a day.
9. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel is used to treat bites. The gel is a natural antiseptic. It has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in keeping the affected area moisturized, aiding the healing.
Method
Wash the aloe vera leaf and split it open to extract the gel. Apply the gel. Repeat this few times a day.
10. Peppermint
This herb reduces pain because of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It also soothes and calms itchiness.
Method
- Rub the peppermint juice on the bite.
- Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes and then rub it off with cool water.
- Repeat once or twice. Or you can apply 1 to 2 drops of peppermint oil on the affected area once or twice a day.
Prevention
Here are the few tips for you to help you prevent the Hobo Spider Bite.
- While handling stored boxes or firewood, always wear long-sleeve shirts and pants, gloves, hat and boots to prevent spider bites.
- While cleaning out sheds, attics, basements, garages and crawl spaces.
- Inspect gardening tools before using.
- Install tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to keep spiders out.
- Discard old boxes and unwanted items.
- Remove pile of rocks from your surroundings.
Can You Die From A Hobo Spider Bite?
Hobo Spider Bite is not fatal. However, it can lead to some serious skin complications including Necrosis of the tissues and aplastic anemia. If the person has some pre-existing medical conditions the complications can increase.
However, with proper medical intervention, the risk reduces. There has never been a death because of Hobo Spider Bite. But sometimes it can affect some skin tissue.
Final Talk
So, if someday you are bitten by a Spider, don’t panic. Check if it is a Hobo Spider. If it is, take necessary steps.
Even if it’s not a Hobo Spider bite, most of the treatment procedures mentioned will work for other spider bites too. Relax and just remember what to do and what not to do.
