Wolf Spider Envenomation

Abstract

Although wolf spider venom has been implicated in necrotic arachnidism without acceptably documented verification, limited, prospectively collected data demonstrate a lack of cutaneous necrosis. The infrequent nature of exposure and inherent difficulty in confirming wolf spider bites in humans makes it challenging to study such envenomations. We present the case of a 20 year-old man with confirmed exposure to the wolf spider who developed cutaneous erythema with ulceration following the bite. There was no evidence of skin necrosis. He was treated with aggressive wound care and systemic antibiotics for wound infection, with subsequent resolution of symptoms. This case adds to the limited knowledge regarding wolf spider envenomations and describes the clinical effects and management of wolf spider envenomation.

Hong Kong Poison Information Centre: Annual report 2016

“…There are more than 2300 species of wolf spiders in the biological family Lycosidae distributed worldwide. 9 Wolf spiders are commonly in brown or grey colours with a body size ranging from 15 to 30 mm. 10 They do not make web but hunt on ground like a wolf and hence the name.…”

Animal, Microbial, and Fungal Borne Skin Pathology in the Mountain Wilderness: A Review

“…Other species of spiders (eg, wolf spider) have been reported to cause mild local reactions as well. 27 Hard ticks (Ixodidae spp) are common in the summer months throughout North America's mountains. These parasites latch onto victims, taking blood meals for up to several days, sometimes spreading diseases, and even rarely injecting small amounts of venom, which can cause transient paralysis.…”

“…Other species of spiders (eg, wolf spider) have been reported to cause mild local reactions as well. 27…”