Tarantula Envenomation Follow-up

  • Author: Scott D Fell, DO, FAAEM; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 9, 2011
 

Further Inpatient Care

Except for cases of significant anaphylaxis, inpatient care is not indicated.

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Further Outpatient Care

Patients with local dermatitis caused by urticating hairs should be discharged from the ED with a course of oral corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) and an antihistamine such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Cetirizine may be preferred because of its lower incidence of anticholinergic adverse effects and the convenience of once-a-day dosing. The drawback of cetirizine is its higher cost.

A prescription for oral analgesics also should be provided.

Local skin wounds from tarantula bites or urticating hairs should be re-examined in 48 hours; patients should be educated regarding the signs and symptoms of infection.

Patients with ocular involvement should be seen by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible (< 24 h).

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Deterrence/Prevention

Tarantula bites can be avoided almost completely by not attempting to handle or harass these arachnids. Wearing gloves when gardening and being cautious about hand placement can prevent accidental bites.

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Complications

Ophthalmia nodosa and panuveitis can complicate ocular exposure to tarantula hairs.

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Prognosis

Experience with ocular injuries is somewhat limited, and more information is necessary for accurate conclusions regarding long-term prognosis.

Recovery from eye injuries may be prompt but has been delayed up to 72 months.

No cases of infection from tarantula bites or skin exposure to urticarial hairs have been reported; therefore, prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended.

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Patient Education

As tarantulas become increasingly popular as pets, owners need to be aware of the potential injuries that can occur.

Discourage frequent and routine handling of tarantulas. Handlers should wear gloves, avoid tarantula contact with their face and eyes, and wash their hands after working with tarantulas.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Bites and Stings Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles, Black Widow Spider Bite and Brown Recluse Spider Bite.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Scott D Fell, DO, FAAEM  Medical Director, Emergency Care Center, Venice Regional Medical Center

Scott D Fell, DO, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert L Norris, MD  Professor, Department of Surgery, Chief, Division of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center

Robert L Norris, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, California Medical Association, International Society of Toxinology, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD  Regional Director of Pharmacy, Sacred Heart and St Joseph's Hospitals

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Matthew M Rice, MD, JD, FACEP  Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Northwest Emergency Physicians of TeamHealth; Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine

Matthew M Rice, MD, JD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, National Association of EMS Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Washington State Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Rick Kulkarni, MD  Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Rick Kulkarni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: WebMD Salary Employment

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The Chilean rose tarantula. The urticating hairs are clearly visible. Courtesy of Mike Dembinsky.
Enlargement of tarantula hairs. Courtesy of Cara Shillington.
Slit-lamp photograph showing 2 central infiltrates caused by urticating tarantula hairs (arrows). Courtesy of Southern Medical Journal and David A. Belyea, MD.
 
 
 
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