Common Symptoms of a House Spider Bite

House spiders belong to a species in the Tegenaria group, according to GreenNature.com 1. This species group includes the hobo spider, domestic and common house spider and the giant house spider 3. The hobo spider is the most dangerous in this group, but is found mostly in the Pacific Northwest 3. Children, Youth and Women's Health Service of Australia points out that occasionally the house spider will bite and produce a few symptoms, especially at the site of the bite 2.

Pain

The house spider bite can cause pain in the small area surrounding the wound. Children, Youth and Women's Health Service of Australia suggests an ice pack to relieve the pain at the site of the bite 2. HoboSpider.org, a web reference created by Darwin K. Vest, a renowned spider expert, points out that the actual bite might not be painful.

Swelling

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Some tissue swelling is possible, depending on the individual's response to the spider bite, as well as whether the spider injected venom. HoboSpider.org suggests the spider is not likely to inject a human with venom because it would be biting out of defense and not trying to feed on the human prey.

Tissue Hardening

Most house spider bites can cause a hardening of tissues that surround the bite 4. HoboSpider.org says the hardening resembles a classic mosquito bite.

Blistering

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In more serious cases, the surrounding area may develop blisters 24 to 48 hours after the bite, according to HoboSpider.org. These blisters can rupture 24 hours after development, leaving an open wound.

Healing

The open lesions can begin to scab over and heal. A bull's-eye type rash can appear surrounding the open wound nearly three weeks after the original bite. HoboSpider.org points out that about 45 days after the bite, you will see a scar form in place of the scabbed-over ulcer.

Systemic Reactions

Systemic, or full body, reactions to a house spider bite can include:

• a severe headache that does not respond to pain relievers
  
• dry mouth
  
• nausea
  
• weakness
  
• lethargy
  
• hallucinations
  
• double vision
  
• blurred vision
  
• joint pain
  
• according to DermNetNZ.org

It is possible for the individual to notice these symptoms between one and three hours after the spider bite occurs. Other symptoms can include

• chest
  
• abdomen pins
  
• trouble breathing
  
• rapid heart rate
  
• sweating
  
• fever
  
• increased salivation or a reduction in blood pressure (which could result in dizziness or fainting)