Spider hairs stuck in your cornea? How creepy. The British medical journal The Lancet recently reported such a case in Leeds, England when ophthalmologists used high magnification lenses to determine the source behind a man’s red eyes, watery eyes and light-sensitivity.
The discovery was a bit hairy. A Reuters report about the incident indicated that when doctors discovered the hair-like projections jutting from the man’s eyes, the man suddenly remembered cleaning his pet Chilean Rose Tarantula’s glass tank. A rapid movement in the terrarium caused the man to quickly turn his head. As he did, the spider released a spray of hairs that struck his face and eyes.
Apparently this most popular pet tarantula uses a defense mechanism of flicking the barbed hairs on its body as a predator defense. Doctors in this case say eye protection could have prevented such an accident and all pet owners should routinely wear guards when handling these animals.
Other Disadvantages of Spider Pets
While spider pets might offer hours of interesting observation, one should not enter into the relationship with a spider without careful thought. Drawbacks to spider pet ownership include:
- The need for precise habitat and nutrition
- Spiders are masterful climbers that can easily become hairy Houdini’s
- With the exception of tarantulas which can live 20-30 years, most spiders have short life spans
- Few veterinarians know how to diagnose or treat spiders, which often have fungal and parasitic infections
- Spiders don’t interact well with humans and can be seriously injured when dropped
- Some cities have strict regulations against spider ownership
- Liability insurance may not cover injuries sustained from a pet spider
Spider Pet Injuries to Humans
Spider bites are a common injury to humans. You can learn more about potential effects from a venomous spider bite in a recent blog by Lisa Dailey. Nearly all spiders are venomous to some degree and Dailey explains how a brown recluse spider bite turned into a staph infection that could have taken her life.
For most spider species, the venom toxicity is similar to a bee or wasp sting. Standard local reactions can include redness, pain and swelling. However, if never bitten by arachnid, you wouldn’t know if an allergic or anaphylactic reaction might occur. This type of reaction can be fatal, or at the least, make you quite ill.
If you have been bitten by a spider and are experiencing minor symptoms, go to www.iTriageHealth.com to find a provider near you for treatment so that you can prevent against staph infection after a bite. For severe allergic reactions after a bite, you should immediately seek care in an emergency department.
