Tarantula spider bite: Difference between revisions

(Text replacement - "==Diagnosis==" to "==Evaluation==")
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[[File:Tarantula640px-Brachypelma smithi 2009 G03.jpg|thumb|Tarantula]]
[[File:Tarantula640px-Brachypelma smithi 2009 G03.jpg|thumb|Tarantula]]


==Clinical Features==
*Abdominal hairs may be flicked a short distance when threatened
*Abdominal hairs may be flicked a short distance when threatened
**Rarely penetrate human skin but can imbed deeply into conjunctiva and cornea
**Rarely penetrate human skin but can embed deeply into conjunctiva and cornea
*Bites can be painful but systemic symptoms other than fever are unusual
*Bites can be painful but systemic symptoms other than fever are unusual
==Clinical Features==
*Local pain and irritation


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
*Usually clinical
*Usually clinical
*Red eye and pain after handling a tarantula necessitates an ocular exam
**Hairs may be difficult to detect on slit lamp


==Management==
==Management==
*Red eye and pain after handling a tarantula necessitates an ocular exam
*If suspicion for hairs embedded in cornea/conjunctiva, obtain ophtho consult as treatment may require surgical removal
**Hairs may be difficult to detect on slit lamp
*Embedded cutaneous hairs that are barbed may be removed with duct tape or cellophane tape followed by irrigation with sodium chloride.   
**Treatment may require surgical removal of hairs
*Urticarial reactions can be treated with oral [[antihistamines]] and/or topical/systemic corticosteroids.
*Imbedded cutaneous hairs that are barbed may be removed with duct tape or cellophane tape followed by irrigation with sodium chloride.   
*Urticarial reactions can be treated with oral antihistamines and/or topical/systemic corticosteroids.


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Generally discharge


==See Also==
==See Also==
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==External Links==
==External Links==


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 04:25, 1 January 2017

Background

Tarantula
  • Abdominal hairs may be flicked a short distance when threatened
    • Rarely penetrate human skin but can embed deeply into conjunctiva and cornea
  • Bites can be painful but systemic symptoms other than fever are unusual

Clinical Features

  • Local pain and irritation

Differential Diagnosis

Envenomations, bites and stings

Evaluation

  • Usually clinical
  • Red eye and pain after handling a tarantula necessitates an ocular exam
    • Hairs may be difficult to detect on slit lamp

Management

  • If suspicion for hairs embedded in cornea/conjunctiva, obtain ophtho consult as treatment may require surgical removal
  • Embedded cutaneous hairs that are barbed may be removed with duct tape or cellophane tape followed by irrigation with sodium chloride.
  • Urticarial reactions can be treated with oral antihistamines and/or topical/systemic corticosteroids.

Disposition

  • Generally discharge

See Also

External Links

References