Have you ever been bitten by a house spider? What sort of venom is that?

Question

Funny kind of a stinging feeling, isn't it? Not like a beesting at all, but it sticks around a lot longer- months afterwards I could still see a venemous residue beneath the skin, though the pain was gone by then. What sort of venom do they have, should it be treated with acid or alkali?

It wasn't a giant house spider, it was a smaller one, with yellow/goldy blotches on it. Spins webs inside and out, actually. It only bit me because, by accident, I was putting my hand down on it... saw it crawl away apparently unharmed, but the bite stung as described :)

Answer 1

I've never been bitten by a Tegenaria (funnel-web) house spider, but I was once bitten by an Achareana (tangle-web) house spider that I lay down on in my sleeping bag. It was a small prick, and I didn't notice any other effect. Since it was on my back, I have no idea what (if any) visible effects there were. I suspect you don't actually mean either one of those spiders, judging by your short description. As to treatment, I doubt that either of those you suggest would have any significant effect - you're thinking of bee and wasp stings, which can sometimes be eased by application of a baking soda poultice. Spider venoms are usually a varied concoction of proteins, to which you can have any or all of allergic reaction or physical/chemical reaction (depending on whether it includes neurotoxic or hemolytic components). It has also been suggested that some necrotic effects may be due to the occasional invasion of the puncture wound by bacteria like staph, but I have no idea how likely or how common that would be.

Answer 2

The Common house spider, sometimes called the American house spider, is an extremely common spider in North America and South America, as its name suggests. There are several species of this genus, Achaearanea, sharing many common features. They build their tangled web in secluded locations, which can also house eggs contained in one or more spherical sacs. Their behavior on webs is quiet and efficient. They are generally dull in appearance, with patterns consisting of brown shades for coloration. Their average body size is a quarter-inch long. These traits combined allow the spiders to blend into the background and escape notice.

These spiders are not aggressive. They are not known to bite people frequently, nor is their venom known to be dangerous to human beings. When removed from their webs their poor vision renders them helpless. Their only concern seems to be to find and return to their own web or build another one. They do not wander around inside houses except to find a secure place to build a web. Since these spiders are harmless and their diet consists of pests such as flies and mosquito, tolerating their presence in human homes is beneficial.

Many species of Common house spider share a body shape and size that makes them similar to widow spiders, which have venom that is classified as very dangerous.

Answer 3

I haven't heard of them biting, but I kind of thought that all spiders have the ablity to bite. Some leave a more noticeable mark and some give a poisonous bite like the brown recluse and the black widow. Maybe those long-legged spiders don't bother with biting people and just stick wih what they want to eat.

Answer 4

In the uk we have the giant house spider which can run at over a third of a meter in a second although these are harmless, they also grow to 4 inches. it depends on what house spider you mean, as I think there are 5 different types.

Answer 5

I was bit by a spider, but ididn't treat it with anything, and i'm still living.

Answer 6

i had one go down the back of my shirt and bit me all over my back. It made my left armpit ache all afternoon, but all effects had gone by morning.

Answer 7

Never

Answer 8

Once, but I'm still here.

Answer 9

its mouth is to small to cause you harm