• Pain at bite site.

• Sweating around the bite site.

• Nausea and/or vomiting.

• Joint and abdominal pain.

• Muscle weakness and spasm.

• Aches and pain for days to weeks.

Management:

1. The patient should be reassured and made comfortable, while remaining at rest.

2. If child or elderly and you suspect a red back spider bite, seek medical attention.

3. Apply ice or cold compress to lessen pain and monitor for changes in condition.

4. If symptoms worsen, seek urgent medical assistance.

NOTE: If a child tells you they have been bitten by a spider then always treat them as though they have been bitten.

Instant ice packs and other types of cold packs should not be applied directly to skin, always cover ice with towel or cloth.