Spike in spider bites sparks warnings

The worrying trend has prompted SA Health to warn residents to be aware of the threat.

Latest figures from the Toxinology Department show bites have jumped to 134, including 66 from redback spiders, last financial year.

Up to 106 bites were recorded in the previous year.

Associate Professor Dr Scott Weinstein from the Toxinology Department, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, said South Australians should take care as the warmer weather arrives.

Cleaning barbecues, putting on gardening shoes left outdoors and sitting at outdoor furniture left unused over winter are among prime risk areas.

“Spiders are more prevalent during the warmer months, so as we start to come out of winter we can expect to see more people presenting with spider bites,” Dr Weinstein said.

Red-back spiders bites saw a 53 per cent increase in hospital admissions from these spiders compared to the previous year.

Dr Weinstein said Red-back spiders were commonly found in sheds or in the garden, including around garden furniture.

“So it is important people check before putting your hands into places you can’t see or sitting at outdoor tables if they have been unused for some time,” he said.

“Shoes stored in the house which have not been used for a while or have been left outside also provide a good hiding place, so look inside to make sure they are clear before putting them on.

The only funnel web spiders in SA are related to tree funnel webs.

While they are a close relative of the dangerous Sydney funnel web, there have been no medically significant bites in SA in the past three years.

The figures also show 53 bites admitted to hospital were from unspecified spiders last financial year while 15 bites were from other specified spiders

Dr Weinstein said many people were unable to identify what type of spider had bit them.

“We encourage anyone who has been bit to try and safely catch the spider and bring it to hospital to assist the medical team to identify the species and quickly administer the correct treatment,” he said.

He said babies, young children, the elderly and people with existing heart conditions were at the greatest risk of severe reactions to spider venom.

Symptoms of a venomous spider bite include redness and itching, increasing local and then more pain, nausea, sweating, uncontrollable muscle spasms and malaise.

“If bit by a spider wash the area thoroughly, do not bandage as the increased pressure will cause further pain, apply an icepack and attend your local hospital as antivenom is available to treat significant spider bites,” Dr Weinstein said.

Redback spiders are found commonly throughout Australia, especially in drier and built up areas.

The spiders are shiny black with a distinctive red stripe running along the length of their body.

The venom from these spiders contains excitatory neurotoxins and they stimulate the nervous system.

In most cases the bites cause severe, localised pain that may last for several days. In some cases, the localised pain can develop into more general symptoms, including sweating, nausea, weakness, chest pain and abdominal pain.