The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Baking Soda and Charcoal
Posted by Islandmeg (Modesto, Ca ) on 03/14/2014
Aloha everyone,
I recently was bitten was a Black Widow spider and was lucky enough to find this site. What a mess they make.
I had cellulitus and the poison was spreading up my foot, heading toward my ankle. It was skin splitting sore and swollen. Also very itchy. I decided to try the baking soda and charcoal. Wow.
I was bitten on Saturday night. By Sunday night, I was a bit worried, watching the toxin spreading. I drew on my foot with a marker pen, so I could chart it's progress - just in case.
On Monday, it wasn't settling down. I found this site and made up a batch of baking soda and water. Just mixing it in with a little water to make a toothpaste like consistency. I smoothed it all over my foot and left it on there until it had dried up and was caking off. That took a lot of the itch out straight away.
When it would play up again, I'd then put some anti-histamine cream on and an ice pack. About every two hours on the Monday, I did the baking soda routine again. Each time it took out a bit more itch, a bit more pain.
I also tried one batch with some charcoal mixed in but this was stingy and I my foot stung afterwards. I had to wash it, so I just kept to the baking soda. And took the activated Charcoal (2 capsules) a couple of times a day, around food.
When I woke up on Tues, my foot had improved by about 30 to 40%. The toxin had also stopped spreading.
On Tues I did the same routine but wasn't having to do it as often. I was going about 3 to 4 hours between baking soda poultices. My friend rushed around here on Tues night, prepared to bodily take me to hospital if necessary. (She's an allopathic trauma nurse) And was floored when she saw how much it had gone down. She'd seen it on the Sunday night. (Now a keen Earthclinic phone. I put it on her phone for her. :-) ) Although, I did take some Bactrim antibiotics she had (Sulfurmeth) as well.
When I woke up Wed, my foot was probably about 100% improved. I had lost all the itchiness and most of the soreness. Slightly tight and tender to the touch, but nothing like it was. I thought my skin was going to pop. The toxin line was receding too. I only did 3 baking soda poultices.
Today is Thur and I've only done one baking soda poultice today, no ice or anti-histamine cream. I woke up and you can see the original toxin line but otherwise, barely any discoloration in the foot. I will continue to poultice it, internal charcoal and the antibiotics, which are probably only kicking in tonight anyway. :-)
In short - wow. I'm sold. Thank you all so much.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Redclary (Oklahoma City, Ok) on 08/11/2012
★★★★★
I have used the absolute best remedy for spider bites that I have seen in 62 years. My granddaughter was bitten on the back of her thigh and was scratching yet didn't know what it was. The bite was swollen and had a red infection about 3 in. Around the bite. I put oil of oregano around it and put a large bandaid on it. The next morning I checked it and all of the infection was gone with just the small red bite mark left. She showered and we put another large bandaid with oil of oregano on the pad on. The next day it only had a small darkened area aroung the bite. This bite cleared up without any scar at all.
I was able to use oil of oregano again when I was bitten. My husband said the bite was infected with red area around the bite about 4 in. wide. Again we used the oil of oregano and a large bandaid. It took 4 days to clear but I had no itching, infection, or scaring to deal with.
Baking Soda
Posted by Jessica (Oakland, Ca) on 11/20/2011
★★★★★
I used the baking soda paste method on my spider bite and it helped to ease the swelling and it helped cool it down a little. I also iced it in between using the baking soda, which eased the discomfort. An over the counter pain killer also helped ease the pain.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Storm (Tempe, AZ) on 05/11/2009
★★★★★
Arizona recluse spider bite: I read each and every testimonial about spider bites in this very resourceful site. I woke in the middle of the night with an itchy and raised area on my back. I thought it may have been a misquito until I looked in the mirror the next morning. It looked just like the "bull's eye" red rings with white around it as described in some of these paragraphs above. It had a white funnel shaped center and was about the size of a quarter.
I immediately put rubbing alchohol on it and that burned the site. Then I forgot about it for a couple days while busy at work. It continued to weep and itch with a sticky substance at the site. That is when I started to research "spider bites" on the web and found this awesome site. I immediately went to a health food store and purchased some activated charcoal capsules. I made a paste with water and applied it to the site and bandaged it as the charcoal stains. I did this 3 times for 3 days. I also took a couple of capsules of the charcoal by mouth for several days as I felt nauseous and it helped calm my stomach. Then I read where someone mentioned getting a permanent "tatoo" impression from the charcoal so I switched to baking soda. I could feel it working immediately into the site. I used the baking soda covered with a bandage for another 3 days and saw the redness start to disappaint for the 1st time. The size of the bite never got any bigger but the redness would not subside for about 10 days or so. Then I started to use an organic "witch hazel" from the health food store that was labeled as a "medicated superhazel". It was a "topical pain reliever" that included aloe vera, Calendula, Clove, Grapefruit seed, Peppermint oil and witch hazel. It felt so right and good. I saw dramatic results within hours. The redness started to tone down and the next day the "bull's eye" circle was smaller. It has continued to improve each day dramatically and after 3 days of using this super witch hazel it is almost disappeared. The center has formed a dark scab that is tiny and the surrounding bite site has almost disappeared entirely. I used the witch hazel with a cotton ball and applied it approx. 3-4 times, daily. I will continue to use this until it is gone. If I had to do it over again I think I would eliminate the charcoal poltice as it is very messy and stains everything. I think the baking soda does the same trick of pulling out the poison. I would take the charcoal, orally, though as I do believe it soaks up the venom in your system. I waited too long before starting the process and think if I used the baking soda in combination with the medicated witch hazel it would have improved the 1st week. I am going into week 3 and feel really good that I found this web site. Thanks everyone who has added comments.
MMS
Posted by James (Kent, WA/USA) on 02/11/2009
★★★★★
Miracle Mineral Supplement: This new supplement used at the 15 drop twice a day dose allowed my body to heal itself from five wolf spider bites within two weeks. In Texas one brown recluse bite could not be cured using oral then intravenous anti-biotics and required surgury to remove the infected area. My research found that the hobo, wolf, and brown recluse spider bites, as well as staph and mrsa infections, all propogate in a very similar flesh eating and tissue destroying manner most likely due more to our weakened, overburdened immune systems (because of toxins accumulated from diet,air,water, ect.), and not because bacteria and spider venoms are evolving into newer stronger forms.This supplement is actually a strong chemical called chlorine dioxide and must be prepared in stages according to specific directions outlined in a book by Jim Humble. I am not a doctor yet, and this is not medical advice of any kind, only a testimony that this supplement used properly apparently removes enough toxins from the body so that it may heal itself and should aid in healing needed for any condition.
High Voltage, Low Amperage Dc Current
Posted by Steve (Nv) on 11/26/2016
Most of the DC energy kills the bad bacteria in the blood stream or wherever you are doing a spot treatments. DC energy does not penetrate into the GI tract very well so will not kill the "good" bacteria in the gut. Blood cells absorb and use this energy for self healing.There are also many benefits to raising the body's energy level using microcurrent. It is said that people who have a cellular microcurrent of .7-.9 microvolts are healthy. Sickness and diseases begin when the microcurrent falls below .5mv DC. Tumors measure about .15 microvolts. There is much research that confirms microcurrent can kill tumors and heal many different types of diseases and pathogens.
The Chinese have known this for thousands of years and call it chi energy. In fact almost every culture on the planet has some type of healing system that raises life force energy. Acupuncture can raise chi levels as well as exercise, good organic fresh food, sunlight, magnetic energy, various forms of energy healing, and of course DC microcurrent. Google will tell you more than you would ever want to know about all of this.
High Voltage, Low Amperage Dc Current
Posted by Annette (Cookeville, Tn) on 01/10/2018
★★★★★
Tens Unit for Recluse or Snake bites
I have had many friends with the same experience. The Tens unit works.
The betadine and ultra sound also have good results. There are studies where people used tasers, electric fence chargers or spark plug wires. OUCH! http://venomshock.wikidot.com/
Welcome to the new old world.
Donna Rocks!
Baking Soda
Posted by Jon (Lakeland, Florida) on 10/15/2008
★★★★★
I used a paste of baking soda on a spider bite on my leg and in two days the bite turned from black to red and faded away in little more than a week. It works!
Potatoes
Posted by Lynn (Windsor, Canada) on 06/28/2008
★★★★★
Got 4 brown recluse spider bites on my arm while cleaning our shed. After 3 days went to Dr. and was given antibiotics to combat any other infection that might happen (I'm diabetic)...but Dr. said nothing can be done about the venom. 2 wounds were size of 1/2 dollar, 2 size of dime. Blistering and oozing and scabs (2 were black)occured and new blisters formed (no infection just clear fluid oozing) Did have 3 new sites of blister form possibly from the oozed fluid spreading the toxin. These new sites are not bites. Am now covering wounds with large bandaids.By day 5 tried topical creams, baking soda paste (not at the same time). While they kept the wounds from getting bigger they did not make it smaller or look any different. Found your website and am now doing potato poltice. Did break blisters and got as much scab off as possible before putting potato slices on. It is working, hooray!! And in only a few hours. Been a week looking for something that works. Right now the wounds have lost the redness, puffiness and don't feel warmer than the rest of me. Will let you know how I am in a few days. Was really worried as these bites were not healing and slowly getting worse. Will try salt tomorrow (maybe salt the potato slices, eh!).
Potatoes
Posted by Jason (Atkins, AR) on 06/09/2008
★★★★★
I got a spider bite on the back of my arm and in just a few days my arm was swelled and I had a big knot with a big white, yellow, greenish, center. I got on the earth clinic site and seen to scrap the top cut a potato and put on it. I did and was amazed at how fast it pulled all of the junk out of my arm. The potato is the only way to go in my opinion. Thanks yall are a life saver.
EC: Glad to hear the remedy worked. However, we still have to warn folks to be careful that a spider bite isn't, in fact, Staph or MRSA. We know two people here in Atlanta in the past month who misdiagnosed staph infections for spider bites!!
Baking Soda or Butter
Posted by Wooly (Joshua Tree, CA) on 01/31/2008
I believe my dad used half baking soda and half butter 50/50. So it was a thin layer is what I remember and yes it was mixed to cover the entire area of the bite about 3 inches by 3 inches, depends on persons size of wound and how it affects there body. The mixture was the size of a patch that they use for back pain for example. Hope this helps. Wooly
Baking Soda or Butter
Posted by Violet (Ozark AR) on 05/27/2022
My son and I have been bit by a recluse spider. He suffered much but got well. I'm in progress! Thank you for this site! I have been using oils and herbs, Epsom salt. Soda, vinegar, antibiotic salve, honey, everything older folks tell me( vinegar and soda)
Egg White, Iodine, Baking Soda
Posted by Cheryl (Okla) on 09/21/2006
★★★★★
For fiddle back spider bites, mix 1 egg white with 1 tbls iodine and some baking soda to make a paste. Rub onto spider bite and let dry. Do this several times a day.
Garlic
Posted by Sal (EastHaven, CT) on 08/31/2006
★★★★★
While riding my road bike i felt a sharp bite on my thigh. I squeezed my lycra pants and it stopped. well when i got home from my ride , I saw a crushed what looked like a spider fall out of my pants. I started to develop a sore which grew and identified it as a brown recluse spider bite. nothing worked, it appeared sealed and Hydrogen peroxide didn't even foam. Well I tried a slice of raw garlic taped to my thigh overnight as a last resort before making a Dr. appointment. Well, the next morning the sore showed great improvement and in 2 more days it was about healed. I put on some neosporin just for the final touch.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by JT (USA) on 04/18/2020
★★★★★
Me and my wife's bichon bff had a black 1-2 inch spot under her neck that I now think was a brown recluse spider bite that was getting worse by the day. Luckily, my wife suggested putting 3% hydrogen peroxide on it, which within a day started working to stop the growth and by day 2 started to reduce the size of the infected area. Then we decided to add some virgin coconut oil on it to work with the peroxide and walla, it worked like a miracle. Within 4 days total our bff was healed on up and only had a pink bald spot that got back to normal in about a week or so after that.
Baking Soda, Salt, and Garlic
Posted by Shelley7 (Tampa, Fl) on 03/24/2016
★★★★★
Thank You so much for having this site available! I was bitten 5 days ago the area has been very sore and itchy. I did go to a walk in clinic and they basically said ice, Tylenol, antihistamine cream which none helped:( I have been miserable knowing there must be something more I could do! I made my poultice of baking soda, pink Himalayan salt, crushed garlic covered it with large gauze bandaid! Wow instant relief:) It's midnight it's all I had in the house. I saw active charcoal mentioned too.I'm going to have this on hand in the future as well! This is my first time bitten by a spider! Not fun, it's very painful and scary! Hopefully it heals up nicely soon and doesn't get worse:(
Iodine
Posted by Jcee (California) on 11/05/2014
★★★★★
Just used topical iodine (in my case, nascient iodine but have used regular drug store topical iodine as well) on a VERY painful, tiny, swelling spider bite on my toe. Could hardly walk. In about fifteen minutes it was 90% better. One hour later and I actually can't feel it anymore. I think the secret is to use it AS SOON as you get bit if possible.
Baking Soda
Posted by Shawna (San Diego) on 08/13/2013
What was the over the counter medicine used other than hydrocortizone? The antihistamin pill, icing, paste from baking soda or aspirin helps ease pain, itch, swelling, & redness. I have used it in 48 hrs so far, little pink is left, n still using daily cause still itchy.
Tobacco Poultice
Posted by Holly (O'fallon, Mo) on 06/03/2011
This works! I stepped on a bee when I was young. My grandma, who chewed tobacco, scooped a little out of her mouth and spread it on the sting. It draws out the poison as it dries. A thin layer of mud will also work to draw out poison but does not work as quickly to stop pain.
Tea Bag
Posted by Catpleasant (Reno, Nv Usa) on 05/07/2011
★★★★★
I was bitten by a "wolf" spider. My hand was was swollen twice it's normal size. A friend suggested a wet tea bag. The tea bag, when place over the bite, pulled the poison out of my hand within a couple of hours. No bad effects from the bite.
It seems regular tea bags will pull the poison out of spider bites, an abscessed tooth or any place where poison is causing swelling.
Poultice
Posted by Jimbo (Talisay, Philippines) on 03/17/2011
★★★★★
I live in philippines and was bitten by spider, next morning woke up with red streaks and swelling of leg, when I got back home I appled a poultice made of tobbaco, charcoal, honey and chopped up garlic, and put on bite coverd with a peice of banana leaf, sitting at computer about 3 hours later and could see trickle running down my leg, at first I thought it was the honey but is just kept oozing out, that evening my swelling diapeared and so did the red streaks, but the bite had opened into a sore about 3/8 of inch across and swelled up like a boil, I did this for 2 days and it had pulled all of the infection or poison out, don t know wat kind of spider it was
