Bitten by Steatoda nobilis.

[Badnews]

I was bitten two weeks ago by a spider I later caught. I've looked at images and I'm sure it's Steatoda nobilis. Sorry I don't have a digital camera to upload a pic ( I'll try to loan one ). The bite area ( my ankle ) still aches and next to where the puncture wounds were there's a yellow sore that won't heal. I live in South Wales near Newport. Are bites from these spiders common?

Sorry if this keeps re-posting, I don't use forums much.

[ron1863]

Hi, I found these bite reports on the Natural History Museum site re Bites from the False widow spider - Steatoda nobilis

The bite itself is not usually felt but, within a short space of time, a local burning sensation is followed by radiating pain (“far more severe than a bee or wasp sting”, Warrell et al., 1991).

"Sudden onset of intense pain, radiating across thigh. Lasted 20 minutes with some swelling and a developing weal."

"Bitten on left hand; within 3/4 hour developed swelling of palm including thumb and fingers with tingling in all fingers. Swelling on left side of face with tingling over face. Two small puncture wounds in the region of the swelling, surrounded by local erythema with small bluish tinge a few hours later.

"Bite on arm (area red) immediate pain. Spread to chest - still stiff 48 hours later."

"Burning sensation on the right side of ribs. Increased in intensity, like being scalded, stabbing pains spread first to armpit then down right arm. Also flu-like symptoms, aches, sweats, fatigue, perspiring, cold & shaky, sick & giddy (all in first 10 minutes). Face and right arm went purplish and slightly puffy. Bite mark raised with red area c. 5 or 6cm. After one hour, responded to Piriton but felt unwell for 3 days."

"Bitten on the shoulder. Initially the top of my arm ached, then felt itchy. Ten minutes later my armpit became numb. The skin was hot and sticky and looked wrinkled. The tenderness and itchiness lasted for some days" (later said to be infected).

[Badnews]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not concerned about the bite it's just that it's still painful after two weeks and it even my ankle bone aches. I'm seeing the doctor in the morning about the yellow sore. After I was bitten the area bruised and is still swollen.

[ron1863]

I think a visit to the GP is highly recommended if it's been painful that length of time. Good luck

[Venger]

Generally classed as Steatodism
The clinical presentation of Steatoda bites was characterized by moderate to severe regional pain (26%), with a mean duration of six hours, and systemic effects in 30%, notably nausea, headache, malaise, and lethargy.
THE GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, SYNDROMIC CLASSIFICATION, MANAGEMENT, AND PREVENTION OF SPIDER BITES by JAMES H. DIAZ

It's bite isn't necrotic, though it might get infected if not seen too ( a Staphylococcus infection or Streptococcus infection is possible amongst other things , you'll need to get it checked.)

What were you doing to get bitten?

It's not an aggressive spider but can and will bite in self defence - it's only one of 12 or so spiders in the UK that can bite (out of 650+ species)

[Badnews]

I was lead on my sofa at the time. I must have moved my foot at the wrong time

[No.9 Spider]

Secondary infection is the main problem with most spider bites in the Uk, rather than the actual venom. You just never know what the spiders last meal was walking about on!



No.9 Spider

[naturegirl]

Best to be safe than sorry........

As an 'Anaphylactic shock' sufferer, I would always err on the side of caution when it comes to stings/bites of any sort!!!

Naturegirl