Spider bite. A rational approach.

BACKGROUND: Spider bite is one of the most common envenomation problems in Australia. Australia is home to two spiders of major medical importance; the Sydney funnel web spider and the redback spider.

OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the features of envenomation and discusses treatment for bites by the Sydney funnel web spider and the redback spider. Bites by other spiders are also discussed, as is the problem of necrotising arachnidism.

DISCUSSION: It is hoped that the information contained within this article will be of help to medical practitioners dealing with spiderbite throughout Australia. There is, as yet, a great deal to be learned about spiderbite, particularly necrotising arachnidism.