Spiders are arachnids, which have four pairs of legs, just like scorpions, mites, and ticks. Spiders use sharp fangs to bite prey (typically insects, other arthropods, or small vertebrates) and inject venom.
Most spiders are incapable of human envenomation because their delicate mouthparts cannot penetrate the human skin, or their venoms are prey specific. However, a few of the spiders can produce toxic venoms that can cause skin lesions, systemic illnesses, and neurotoxicity.
The diagnosis is usually clinical but may be supported by identification of the spider if available.
Poor case definition and spider identification contribute to the inappropriate diagnosis . . .
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