Spider bites are the second cause of poisoning in the country - 10/02/2024 - Equilíbrio e Saúde

Brazil recorded 341,806 accidents with venomous animals throughout 2023 — 43,933 of which were caused by spiders. The number represents 12% of the total. The Ministry of Health warns that spiders are currently the second biggest cause of poisoning by venomous animals in the country, behind only scorpions.

“Accidents caused by venomous animals represent an important challenge for public health in Brazil. Due to the rich biodiversity and favorable tropical climate, the country is home to a wide variety of snakes, spiders, scorpions and other venomous animals, whose stings or bites can result in serious consequences for human health”, highlighted the ministry.

According to the ministry, although only three groups of spiders cause serious accidents in Brazil, they are all part of human life, whether indoors, in backyards or parks.

So-called antivenom serums, including antiarachnid serum, are distributed exclusively via the SUS (Unified Health System) and can be made available by public, philanthropic and private hospitals, as long as treatment is guaranteed at no cost to the patient.

Accidents caused by spiders or aranesism constitute a clinical picture of poisoning resulting from the inoculation of spider venom, through a pair of stingers located in the anterior part of the animal.

Check out the main spiders that cause serious accidents in Brazil below:

Loxosceles (brown spider or violin spider)

The signs and symptoms of the bite include mild pain. The affected area may develop pallor mixed with ecchymotic areas (marble plaque), located on an indurated region. Vesicles or blisters may also be observed on the indurated area, with sero-bloody or hemorrhagic contents.

In the most severe cases, intravascular hemolysis occurs, of varying intensity, without direct association with the extent of the skin lesion, with the main complications being acute renal failure due to tubular necrosis.

Phoneutria (armed spider or monkey)

Immediate pain is the most common symptom. Its intensity is variable and can radiate to the root of the affected limb.

Other symptoms are swelling due to fluid accumulation, red spots on the skin, tingling or numbness on the skin and excess sweat at the site of the bite, where the marks of two inoculation points can be seen.

Latrodectus (black widow)

Signs and symptoms include pain in the area of the bite, generalized sweating and changes in blood pressure and heart rate.

Tremors, anxiety, excitability, insomnia, headache, red spots on the face and neck may also occur. There are reports of behavioral disorders and shock in severe cases.

WHAT TO DO

In case of an accident, the guidelines are:

Seek medical attention immediately;

Photograph or inform the healthcare professional of as many characteristics of the animal as possible, such as type of animal, color, size;

If possible and, if such action does not delay the patient’s visit to medical care, wash the bite site with soap and water;

Apply warm compresses, which can help relieve pain.

In case of emergency, the recommendation is to immediately contact the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu 192) or the Fire Department (193). It is also possible to contact the Toxicological Information and Assistance Center that serves the region where the accident occurred.

Prevention

Measures to prevent accidents with spiders include:

Keep gardens and yards clean;

Avoid the accumulation of debris, dry leaves, domestic waste and construction materials near houses;

Avoid dense foliage (ornamental plants, climbing plants, shrubs, banana trees and others) near the walls of houses;

Periodically clean neighboring vacant lots – at least within a range of one to two meters near houses;

Shake out clothes and shoes before using them;

Seal gaps and holes in walls, floors and gaps between the lining and walls, repair loose baseboards, place thresholds on doors and screens on windows;