TARANTULAS

BACKGROUND/CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

There are more than 1500 species of tarantulas found throughout tropical and subtropical areas of the world. While tarantulas are often feared due to their large size and painful bite, their bite is not dangerous to humans. Some indigenous American tarantula species have barbed hairs with which they can strike their victims or they can generate a cloud of hairs (as a defense mechanism) by scratching their abdomen with their legs. These hairs can cause irritation and pruritus of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.17

TREATMENT

Tarantula bite treatment is supportive and includes cool compresses, analgesics, antipruritics, and tetanus prophylaxis as indicated. Adhesive tape can be used to remove barbed hairs from the skin. If hairs get in the eye, then irrigate copiously. If irrigation is ineffective, then removal by an ophthalmologic surgeon may be necessary. Skin irritation can be treated with topical and oral antihistamines and corticosteroids.17