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Spider bites

<h2 class="sectHeading">Avoid spider bites in your home</h2><p>The best way to avoid bites is to leave spiders alone, as even a non-toxic bite can be painful. For more dangerous spiders, seek professional help immediately.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p> Spider venom can be neurotoxic (acts on the nervous system and the brain) or cytotoxic (acts on living cells).</p></div></div><p>Here are some other tips for avoiding spider bites in your home: </p><ul><li>Shake out your shoes before putting them on.</li><li>Clear away old furniture and junk that is being stored or not in use.</li><li>Wear a long sleeve shirt, gloves and boots when handling storage.</li><li>Remove piles of rocks from the area around your house.</li><li>Avoid storing firewood against the house.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Treating spider bites</h2><p>Bear in mind that spider bites are extremely rare in Cape Town. Many strange marks or ailments are often incorrectly diagnosed as spider bites.</p><p>What to do if you are bitten:</p><ul><li>Remain calm.</li><li>Try to identify the spider by taking a picture or making a mental note of its appearance. This will help the medical professional in identifying how to treat the bite.</li><li>Call for help (ambulance) or get to a hospital as quickly as possible.</li></ul> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> <b></b>Tygerberg Poison Information Centre’s main function is to advise health care professionals and the general public on how to deal with acute poisonings, including snake bites. In an extreme emergency, please call the 24-hour poison number on <a><em>0861 555 777</em></a>.</p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Get help</h2><p>For assistance with spider bites, contact the Poison Information Helpline on <em><a>0861 555 777</a></em>. In an emergency, anyone living or visiting Cape Town can dial <strong><em>107</em></strong> from a landline or <em> <a>021 480 7700</a></em> from a mobile phone to report the situation and request urgent assistance.</p>

What to do if you’re bitten by a spider, including how to treat it and when to call for help.