A banal evening in a pub fired in the nightmare for a Briton, bitten by a spider. Paige Oldfield, 30, did not even realize what was going on, at the moment. “”I thought it was a mosquito bite“, She says, simply noting a trace on her calf. But the bite will quickly degenerate, with lively pain and a wound that opens, oozes and swells.
A wound that turns into a gaping hole, a few days later
Indeed, a few days later, the bite gives way to a gaping hole. His leg is actually infected with the spider, probably a “false widow”, the “more dangerous species in the United Kingdom.
“”I thought I was going to lose my leg at some point “ she adds. It will eventually be treated by an antibiotic. But the scar has so far. “It was like in a horror film” Tells Paige again, marked by experience.
What are the risks of being bitten by a spider in France?
According to Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical, “very few spiders are really dangerous for humans“In France. The main ones are the following three:
False Widow (false black widow)
- Painful bite (like a wasp bite), but rarely serious.
- Possible symptoms:
- Redness, local swelling, nausea, headache (extreme cases).
- Risk of infection if scratching.
- South of France, but also cities (Paris, Bordeaux, etc.).
© Marco Polo’s Rhino/Shutterstock
False widow
Brunette recluse (Loxosceles Rufescens)
- Necrotizing bite (rare but serious)
- Skin lesion evolving in ulcer in 48-72 hours.
- Fever, fatigue (if systemic reaction)
- Méditerranée (PACA, Corsica), but also in heated houses.
© Macrolife/Shutterstock
Rufescens loxosceles
European widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus)
- Painful bite (like a wasp bite)
- Can cause a Latrodectisme (avennimation)
- Possible symptoms:
- Live pain, similar to a needle bite, followed by more dull pain, sometimes numb
- Mainly in the South (Corsica, PACA).
© Oleg Kovtun Hydrobio/Shutterstock
European widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus)
“The European Black Widow is mainly present in the South, especially in Corsica and in the PACA region. It can cause a latrodecticism, an envenation characterized by muscle pain, cramps and neurological symptoms” Specifies Dr. Kierzek.
As for other spiders, “They can bite, but their venom is not dangerous for humans. At worst, there is a local reaction, comparable to an insect bite“.
How to react in the event of a suspect bite?
The doctor recalls good reflexes.
“Clean the wound with water and soap, disinfect with an antiseptic, apply cold locally to limit inflammation, then monitor the evolution“. But be careful not to trivialize the signs of alert.”Erythema that exceeds 10 centimeters, the appearance of fever, discomfort, muscle pain, or local necrosis or signs of infection “ should encourage to consult without delay.
In the vast majority of cases in France, bites do not require treatment. “”Most spiders in France spontaneously heal without any particular treatment, contrary to popular belief on their dangerousness“Insists Dr. Kierzek.
But it sets some cases where medical advice becomes essential. “”A medical consultation is not systematic for joint spider bites. It becomes necessary in the event of important local signs, general symptoms, risky terrain such as immunodeuppression or diabetes, or if a dangerous species is suspected like the black widow “.
And in case of doubt, we must not procrastinate. “”A suspicion of black widow bite accompanied by systemic symptoms must be consulting urgently “ estimates the emergency room.
In terms of treatment, no automatic antibiotics. “”They are indicated in the event of secondary bacterial infection, such as extensive erythema, lymphangitis or fever “ recalls the doctor.
Finally, the healing time varies. “”The benign bites heal in three to seven days. If the local reaction is moderate, healing can take one to two weeks. In case of latrodecticism, recovery takes several weeks, with symptomatic treatment “ he concludes.