CareWell Urgent Care Logo in white
CareWell Urgent Care Logo

Urgent Care for a Spider Bite

June 10, 2024
A brown spider is perched on the back of a man’s outstretched hand.

If you’re not fond of spiders, you’re not alone. As we head into the warmer months here in New England, insects are more active, and spiders are no exception. It’s important to know what to watch for if a spider has bitten you and when to seek medical help. Many spider bites are harmless, but some can be dangerous. At CareWell Urgent Care, our experienced providers can diagnose harmful spider bites and provide rapid care.


When to See a Provider for a Spider Bite

Bites from many common spiders are typically mild and can be cared for at home. Two types of spiders are more dangerous: black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders. These spiders carry harmful venom that is injected through the skin when they bite.

Black widow spiders are most common in the western and southern United States but can be found throughout North America. Black recluse spiders are black and can be identified by a red hourglass shape on their belly. Though brown recluse spiders are rare in the New England area, they can occur. These brown spiders can be identified by a violin shape on their back.

If you think you have been bitten by one of these dangerous spiders or are unsure, you should seek spider bite treatment at urgent care.


Spider Bite Symptoms

Visit urgent care for a spider bite if you experience any of the following symptoms, which may indicate that a venomous spider has bitten you:

  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Sweating.
  • Body aches.
  • Fatigue.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Spreading of a reddened area.
  • Red streaks around the bite.
  • Worsening of the wound.
  • Severe pain.

Spider bite symptoms like these may begin soon after a bite but may take several hours to appear.

Call 911 and get help in an emergency room if you experience more emergent spider bite symptoms:

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Cramping.
  • Muscle spasms.
  • Dark urine.
  • Breathing problems.
  • Swallowing difficulty.
  • Seizures.

In contrast to the bites from a black widow or brown recluse, those from a harmless spider may cause a red, itchy, or painful bump that usually heals on its own.


Spider Bite Treatment in Urgent Care

When you visit CareWell Urgent Care for a spider bite, our experienced clinicians will work to diagnose your spider bite, determine its severity, and choose the best treatment. A provider will clean your spider bite carefully to prevent infection.

You may be given medication to relieve symptoms. Medicines ordered by your provider may include an anti-inflammatory or a steroid for pain, fever, and swelling, an antihistamine for itching, or an antibiotic to help prevent infection. In some cases, a tetanus shot may be indicated.

If you experience emergent spider bite symptoms like breathing difficulty, fainting, or seizures, our staff will provide immediate care and arrange for transfer to an emergency room.


Complications of a Spider Bite

Bites from a black widow spider or brown recluse can be deadly in some cases, though this is rare. Young children are at higher risk, and it's advisable to seek pediatric urgent care promptly.

When they bite, black widow spiders inject a neurotoxic venom that produces significant pain at the site and often spreads to the abdomen, chest, or the whole body.

The venom injected by a brown recluse may cause tissue death (necrosis), resulting in a severe wound. These large wounds may take weeks or months to heal, and residual scarring is common.


Risk Factors for Spider Bites

Spiders like black widows and brown recluses may be found in warmer climates and dry, dark places.

Black widow spiders are active during the warmer months and most often live in:

  • Woodpiles.
  • Sheds.
  • Garages.
  • Fences.
  • Eaves.
  • Gardening equipment.
  • Empty pots.
  • Cabinets or closets in cooler weather.

Brown recluse spiders are also more active in warmer months. They may be found in:

  • Basements.
  • Attics.
  • Empty cupboards.
  • Bed linens.
  • Clothing.

They prefer dark, dry spots outdoors, such as beneath rocks, under logs, or inside stumps.

At CareWell Urgent Care, we take pride in providing rapid, exceptional care. Our caring clinical staff focuses on you and your family, ensuring you receive top-notch treatment when you need it. If you need urgent care for bug bite treatment, visit one of our 12 Massachusetts and Rhode Island locations.

Care You Can Count On
Use my current location
View All Locations
Our Locations
CareWell Urgent Care building in Cambridge
1400 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Save Your Spot in Line
CareWell Urgent Care building with a sign on the side of the road in Fitchburg
380 John Fitch Highway
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Save Your Spot in Line
CareWell Urgent Care building in Needham
922 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
Save Your Spot in Line
CareWell Urgent Care building in Northborough
333 Southwest Cutoff
Northborough, MA 01532
Save Your Spot in Line
CareWell Urgent Care building in Peabody
229 Andover Street (Rt 114)
Peabody, MA 01960
Save Your Spot in Line
CareWell Urgent Care building in South Dennis
Patriot Square 484 Rte. 134
South Dennis, MA 02660
Save Your Spot in Line
CareWell Urgent Care building in Warwick
535 Centerville Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Save Your Spot in Line
CareWell Urgent Care building in Worcester on Greenwood St
348 Greenwood Street
Worcester, MA 01607
Save Your Spot in Line
A CareWell Urgent Care building in Worcester on Lincoln St
500 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01605
Save Your Spot in Line
2024 Emergence Health Holdings. All rights reserved. Website Design by Healthcare Success