Debunking spider bite myths

Necrotising arachnidism should be a diagnosis of last resort

Correspondence:

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2. St George I. Skin necrosis after white tailed spider bite? N Z Med J 1991; 104: 207-208.
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4. Sutherland SK. Spider bites in Australia: there are still some mysteries. Med J Aust 1983; 2: 597.
5. Spring WJ. A probable case of necrotizing arachnidism. Med J Aust 1987; 147: 605-607.
6. Sutherland SK. Watch out, Miss Muffet [editorial]. Med J Aust 1987; 147: 531.
7. Underhill D. Australia’s dangerous creatures. Sydney: Readers Digest, 1987; 176-179.
8. Ribeiro LA, Jorge MT, Piesco RV, Nishioka SdeA. Wolf spider bites in Sao Paulo, Brazil: a clinical and epidemiological study of 515 cases. Toxicon 1990; 28: 715-717.
9. White J, Hirst D, Hender E. 36 cases of bites by spiders, including the white tailed spider, Lampona cylindrata. Med J Aust 1989; 150: 401-403.
10. Atkinson RK, Wright LG. Studies of the necrotic actions of the venoms of several Australian spiders. Comp Biochem Physiol 1991; 98: 441-444.
11. White J, Williamson J, Rieger N, et al. Necrotic arachnidism and its management: possible role for hyperbaric oxygen therapy [abstract]. Toxicon 1996; 34: 170.

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