If you think that you might have been bitten by a spider, make sure you tell your healthcare providers where you were, what the spider looked like, how long ago it happened, and where on your skin you think the spider might have bitten you.
There are also many different types of skin lesions that can look similar to spider bites but are treated differently than spider bites. If you develop a skin lesion that is painful, tender, swollen, or oozing pus, be sure to get medical attention. This article describes common types of skin lesions that can be mistaken for spider bites.
It can also be an allergic reaction to any exposure—including a spider bite.
Shingles
Shingles—also known as herpes zoster—comes from a reactivation of the Varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you experiencing symptoms of shingles, it is important to get a diagnosis and treatment.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to bug and spider bites can be deadly if they develop into anaphylactic shock, which causes systemic symptoms—shortness of breath and blood pressure changes. Usually, if anaphylaxis is going to develop it happens fairly quickly after the bite.
Bee stings are commonly considered the most likely to lead to anaphylaxis.
Staphylococcus aureas and group A streptococcus both cause skin infections that can be mistaken for spider bites.
Whether caused by spider bites or skin infections, wounds like these are painful and dangerous. If you have diabetes, it’s important to seek medical attention whenever a wound starts to form—even if it doesn’t hurt. Your healthcare provider may be able to identify the cause and treat it before it gets worse.
Allergic contact dermatitisHerpes simplexImpetigoIrritant contact dermatitisFuruncle or boilLyme diseaseOther insect bitesPoison ivy, oak, or sumacShinglesStaphylococcal skin infection (including MRSA)Syphilis
Seek emergency care if:
You know or suspect you have been bitten by a dangerous spider. You develop painful cramps, profuse sweating, or nausea or vomiting soon after a bite. You experience increasing pain, body aches, fever, or chills within hours of a bite. You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
