How Large Does A Spider Have to Be To Perforate Human Skin?

Discussion Spiders (Phylum: Arthropoda, Class: Arachnida) are difficult to accurately identify as they are often confused with insects (Phylum: Arthropoda, Class: Insecta). Spiders have 8 legs and 2 body parts. They have no wings or antenna. There are no specific symptoms that are diagnostic of a spider bite. Fang marks are infrequent and the markings are difficult to even identify. Spider bites are frequently confused with other arthropod bites (fleas, ticks, mosquites, bed bugs, etc.), allergic reactions, infections and contact dermatitis (including poison ivy etc.). Most spiders have a toxic venom. “Histamine concentration [in the venom] varies by a factor of 20 among the venoms of different spider species, and the pain in vertebrates is considered to be only a side-effect of the proposed main venom enhancing function of histamine.” The duration of the effects varies from a few minutes to a few hours but recovery is usually quick, often without any treatment. Spiders with venom that causes a serious reactions are often called poisonous spiders. In the United States, 2 spiders are considered truly poisonous. Images can be reviewed below. Black widow spiders (Latrodectus hesperus) – females have a large round abdomen and on ventral surface has a distinctive red or orange hourglass-like marking. Only large immature females and adult females are able to bite through human skin. Males have venom but are too small to puncture human skin. They like dark, dry u...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news