Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

False widow spiders have invaded Ireland over the past 20 years, but what are the symptoms of a bite?

In 20 years, the false widow spider has invaded Ireland, one NUIG researcher said, with the highest number of them found in Dublin and Cork.

shutterstock_384490795 Thatmacroguy via Shutterstock Thatmacroguy via Shutterstock

NUI GALWAY RESEARCHERS have developed the world’s first verified guide and symptoms checklist on how to recognise and treat bites from the false widow spider.

Although the household spider is common here, it is in fact a foreign species that has steadily invaded Ireland over the past 20 years through human transport of goods.

The first true case of a false widow spider bite was identified in the UK in the 1990s – the second was in Chile last year.

There has since been five additional reported cases, three in Ireland and two in the UK, leading to the NUI Galway study being the most intensive research carried out on this species to date.

False widow spider Steatoda nobilis False Widow spider (Steatoda nobilis). NUI Galway NUI Galway

A false widow’s bite is not fatal, but it can result in a large swelling within three minutes of being bitten, sometimes followed by the formation of a dry necrotic wound when the swelling subsides, and inflammation for a few days afterwards.

These are the symptoms they listed, ranked from common to uncommon:

Very common (almost all victims present these symptoms):

  • Prolonged mild to intense pain (up to 24 hours)
  • Erythema, which is a skin condition that results in redness or a rash

Common (present in a majority of victims in addition to the above)

  • Moderate to extensive local swelling (up to 24 hours)
  • Prolonged pruritus, ie severe itching (up to 36 hours)
  • Raised skin around bite site

Rare (some victims may present this symptoms in addition to the ones above)

  • Piloerection, or goosebumps
  • Vasodilation, or decreases blood pressure

Very rare (very few victims may present these symptoms in addition to all or some of the above)

  • Superficial dermonecrosis (or dead skin up to 2 mm wide)
  • Facial flushing
  • Feverishness
  • Diaphoresis, or sweating

The venom from a false widow spider is a lot more powerful than the researchers expected, producing about one tenth of a millionth of a litre of venom.

The lead author of the study, Dr Michel Dugon from the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway, said:

While it is extremely unlikely that a bite will ever be fatal, we do need to consider bites from False Widows as a potential health risk given the increase of this species not just in the UK and Ireland but also mainland Europe and the US.

NUI Galway / YouTube

The team compiled the list and guide while investigating whether the venom from a false widow spider could also be a source of novel therapeutics to develop medication to treat illnesses ranging from bacterial infection to cancer.

The Venom Systems and Proteomics lab in NUI Galway is the only one in the world working on extracting venom from the false widow spider for potential therapies.

Common house spider Eratigena atrica Common house spider (Eratigena atrica).

This particular species of spider is having a detrimental effect on other local species and spiders in Ireland due to their competitiveness and quick breeding ability.

The false widow lives for five to seven years whereas most other spider and bug species in Ireland only lives for up to one year.

In Ireland, false widow spiders live close to buildings and houses inhabited by people, and can only survive in cities and not in rural areas.

Based on the latest research, Dublin, Cork and Wexford have the highest number of false widow spiders.

Read: These 6th class pupils in Offaly turned a profit with this practical solution for head lice

Read: A swarm of bees swept through Midleton’s main street today

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
35 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mjhint
    Favourite Mjhint
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:02 AM

    good to see this crap taken off the streets. Tha gardai that do this type of work are the toughest bravest citizens in the state & no money could pay them to do it. They dont get enough of support.

    302
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:24 AM

    They do a good job and get payed well for it.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mjhint
    Favourite Mjhint
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:31 AM

    Really? I suggest you go into the courts & see who they have to deal with before you consider their pay grade. I wouldnt or couldnt do their job.

    156
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Fennelly
    Favourite Richard Fennelly
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:54 AM

    Is your avator meant to be ironic

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute howsaboutya
    Favourite howsaboutya
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 9:24 AM

    I don’t know enough to comment on how good or bad they are at their job. Fair play to them but nobody is forcing them to do it. It’s your opinion.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard
    Favourite Gerard
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:17 AM

    Great work get this dirty drug out of Ireland

    149
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Bowery
    Favourite Dave Bowery
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:39 AM

    Well done to the Gardai, they are doing a good job despite all the obstacles put in their way

    132
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Anthony Patrick Irish
    Favourite Keith Anthony Patrick Irish
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:52 AM

    Great find, that disgusting drug killed my sister, great to see such a big find and hopefully all involved wont see freedom for manys a year now.

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Cunningham
    Favourite Rob Cunningham
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 7:52 AM

    Nidge won’t be happy!

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Baz
    Favourite Baz
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 7:55 AM

    Can I hit the red thumb twice for the love hate jokes? .. Please Journal

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon McGrath
    Favourite Simon McGrath
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 10:44 AM

    Hahahaha

    13
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cpm
    Favourite Cpm
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 1:44 PM

    @baz – ‘joke’ implies it was funny, it wasn’t

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Cunningham
    Favourite Rob Cunningham
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 2:15 PM

    Nidge doesn’t joke!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jim melia
    Favourite jim melia
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:32 AM

    Great capture, heroin is a scourge across all societies. Hopefully there won’t be any punishment attacks as a result of this seizure.

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Magee
    Favourite Noel Magee
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:18 AM

    At least it’s more productive that all the recent cannabis seizures!

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damocles
    Favourite Damocles
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 9:37 AM

    Do a lot of the seizures seem to be in the Kildare area?

    Or am I just misremembering?

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh Casey
    Favourite Hugh Casey
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 11:00 AM

    Celbridge is the Baltimore of Leinster.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Abi Dennis
    Favourite Abi Dennis
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:30 AM

    Would you like some cake fathers, theres cocaine in it! Oh sorry its those what do you call its…RAISINS!

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Cunningham
    Favourite Rob Cunningham
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 4:41 PM

    Careful, the joke police are patrolling…

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bryan N
    Favourite Bryan N
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 7:54 AM

    Hate that, somebody’s gonna be pi$$ed !

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas O Leary
    Favourite Thomas O Leary
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 9:57 AM

    About time they found something other than cannabis. There is a lot more of the sh*t on the street to Gardai, Win for you now but a lot more work to do!

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Hickey
    Favourite Shane Hickey
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 8:30 AM

    I just can’t get that in such a small country there are quantities bigger than this latest find stashed all over the place and its hard to find? Surely its being managed by a small number of people, all of whom will be known to the gards and customs.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richie Curry
    Favourite Richie Curry
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 1:27 PM

    Gardai did well here but it is what they are paid to do…..

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Cunningham
    Favourite Rob Cunningham
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 4:46 PM

    Not very well I’m afraid. The pay doesn’t reflect the dangers there exposed to. After all the cut over the last few yrs it’s worse than ever before. Gardai don’t get enough credit.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nikolas Koehler
    Favourite Nikolas Koehler
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 6:43 PM

    Does anyone know how much of the 35kg was heroin and how much was cocaine? I’m trying to figure out what the official Garda value of a gram of either of these drugs is.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds