What Queensland Health lists
For spider bites in general, the page lists “Sharp pain at the site of the bite”, “Sweating” and “Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea”. Then it gives each spider its own signs:
If it was a funnel-web
- “Increased saliva in mouth”
- “Confusion”
- “Muscular twitching”
- “Breathing difficulties”
- “Unconsciousness”
If it was a redback
- “Severe pain that is spreading”
- “Hairs on legs or arms may stand on end”
If you don’t know which spider it was
Several black spiders look alike, and the NSW Poisons Information Centre’s advice is to treat a doubtful bite as a funnel-web’s. healthdirect’s advice is similar: for a funnel-web, or any big black spider, the instruction is to ring triple zero (000) for an ambulance, and to keep the immobilisation bandage for funnel-web and mouse spider bites only. Mouse spider bites are uncommon, healthdirect adds, but their symptoms are like a funnel-web’s.
Queensland Health’s redback procedure covers the other side of the doubt: one of the reasons it gives for seeing a doctor is that the type of bite is in doubt.
Funnel-web or mouse spider: the procedure, whole
This is the procedure Queensland Health gives for snakes as well. Two of its lines are about snakes alone (washing the bite, and not killing the snake) and sit on the snakebite page instead. Everything else is here, word for word and in order, with the page’s note where the page puts it.
- 01
“Check breathing and circulation If patient is not conscious follow the DRABCD of first aid”
- 02
“Call 000”
- 03
“Apply pressure immobilisation bandage: Firmly bandage the area of body involved (including the wound) starting above the fingers or toes (but not so tight as to cause tingling or colour changes)”
- 04
“If a bandage is not available, something similar such as an item of clothing or towel can be used”
- 05
“Pressure immobilisation is recommended because it reduces the speed at which the venom spreads throughout the body by collapsing small vessels called lymphatic vessels, which are involved in collecting fluid (and the snake/spider venom) from the body's tissues and returning it to the bloodstream.”
- 06
“Immobilise the limb using a splint to reduce the muscles from pumping the venom along the limb”
- 07
“Encourage the person to sit quietly. Reassurance is important to help keep the patient calm”
- 08
“If possible, mark the bandage at the site of the bite/sting with a pen so that medical professionals can examine the affected area without taking the bandage off”
- 09
“Re-check circulation in the fingers or toes that have been bandaged to ensure the bandage is not too tight”
- !
The page’s note“Note, applying a tourniquet, cutting or sucking the venom from the wound is not recommended.”
- 10
“If it is possible and safe to do so, it may be useful to capture the animal involved, for identification purposes, in case anti-venom is required.”
- 11
“However do not put yourself in danger.”
- 12
“An ambulance should be promptly called, by dialling 000.”
- 13
“It is important to stay with the individual concerned in case they deteriorate and require CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) while waiting for medical help to arrive.”
Source: Queensland Health’s bites and stings page on qld.gov.au, used under CC BY 4.0.
Redback: the procedure, whole
Queensland Health’s redback procedure, word for word and in order, with one cut: step 05 stops where the page goes on to name particular painkillers. Its last two lines come from the help section at the foot of the same page, and the last names 13 HEALTH, which is Queensland’s health advice line.
- 01
“Do not apply a pressure immobilisation bandage for Redback spider bites.”
- 02
“Envenoming is not life threatening and resuscitation is rarely required.”
- 03
“Reassure the patient.”
- 04
“Apply an ice pack to bite site.”
- 05
“Give simple analgesia …”
- 06
“Consult Doctor - if patient not responding to simple analgesia, and/or symptoms other than at bite site eg. nausea/vomiting or the type of bite is in doubt.”
- 07
“If you have any concerns with level of consciousness or breathing call 000 immediately.”
- 08
“If you have any other symptoms from or concerns about a bite or sting please contact one of our Registered Nurses at 13 HEALTH by phoning 13 43 25 84.”
Source: Queensland Health’s bites and stings page on qld.gov.au, used under CC BY 4.0.
On the ice pack, healthdirect adds a caution: don’t rest it directly on the skin, because it might cause a cold burn.
About the redback
The NSW Poisons Information Centre says the redback is found throughout Australia, and the female has a red or orange stripe on her back. The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network describes redbacks as common where people live, and most likely to bite when their web is disturbed.
Most redback bites can be treated at home, healthdirect says. The NSW centre adds that routine use of antivenom is no longer recommended, because research shows a low response rate.
A severe allergic reaction
Some people have a severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, to a spider bite, and healthdirect says it is very serious and can cause death. If someone is having anaphylaxis, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
ASCIA, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, says its action plans for anaphylaxis can be used for food, insect, tick and drug allergies. Its first aid plan for anaphylaxis is a printable PDF on ASCIA’s site.