Spiders

Australia has both venomous and non-venomous species of spiders to humans. As with snakes, treat all spider bites as venomous unless proven otherwise.

Prevention

Signs & Symptoms

Management

DRSABCD
The 7 steps to manage any first aid scenario

2) Lie the patient down.

3) Calm and reassure the patient.

4) Apply management for:

Funnel-web / Mouse spider

Pressure immobilisation
Applying a pressure immobilisation bandage

(Confirm an ambulance has been called (000) or emergency beacon activated)

Red-back spider
* Apply an icepack (cold compress) to the bitten area to lessen pain.
* Seek medical attention if patient develops severe symptoms.

Other spider bites
* Wash with soap and water.
* Apply ice pack (cold compress) to relieve the pain.
* Seek medical attention if patient develops severe symptoms.

IDENTIFICATION
Spiders in the Greater Sydney region

Potentially Deadly and Dangerous
Funnel webs have extremely venomous bites. They are among the most deadly spiders in the world, however, fatalities are extremely low since the development of effective and readily available antivenoms.
Mouse spiders are also up there. According to the Australian Museum: “Some mouse spiders have a very toxic venom which is potentially as dangerous as that of the Sydney Funnel-web Spider… Because of their potential toxicity to humans, first aid treatment should be provided as recommended for funnel-web spider envenomation. Fortunately, funnel-web spider antivenom has proven effective in cases of mouse spider bite”.
Redbacks are common across Australian and readily found in urban areas. Although only the female bite is dangerous to humans, more than 250 antivenoms are administered a year over the summer months.