Spider bites are common in this area, especially during warmer months. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), brown recluse and black widow spiders, both venomous, are commonly found in the southern states of the United States. 

To keep your child safe from a serious spider bite, it’s important to know the symptoms and take certain precautions.

How can I prevent a spider bite?
Pediatric infectious disease specialist John DeVincenzo, MD, is medical director of Molecular Diagnostics and Virology Lab at Le Bonheur. He’s seen several patients with serious spider bites throughout his career.

DeVincenzo tells parents to take the following precautions to prevent a spider bite:
•Do not use bed skirts.
•Do not place the mattress directly on the floor; use a bed frame.
•Place spider glue traps in corners around the room. If you catch a brown recluse or other serious spider, call an exterminator.
•Shake out clothes, shoes, towels and other equipment before using them.

What are the signs of a spider bite?
The CDC says symptoms of a spider bite can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of spider. Initial signs are usually redness and pain at the area of the bite. Rashes or blisters can occur with a more serious bite.

According to DeVincenzo, brown recluse spider bites can cause extreme pain, a white or black spot at the bite and a rash. Fever and vomiting sometimes occur as well.

How should I treat a spider bite?
The CDC recommends the following steps:
•Identify the type of spider if possible.
•Apply cold, dampened cloth or ice pack to reduce swelling.
•Elevate the area if possible.
•Seek medical attention.

It is natural for children to explore their surroundings. But if they’re exploring under the kitchen sink or in the medicine cabinet where hazardous chemicals and adult medicines are kept, it can be dangerous.  During National Poison Prevention Week (March 20-26), Safe Kids Mid-South, led by Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, reminds parents to make sure they store hazardous materials – such as cleaning products or medication – out of their children’s reach.

Each year, unintentional poisoning is the cause of death for approximately 100 children ages 14 years and younger, and poison control centers in the United States receive 1.2 million calls as a result of accidental poisoning of children ages 5 and younger. Nearly 90 percent of these toxic exposures occur in the home, and 56 percent involve non-pharmaceutical products such as cosmetics, cleansers, personal care products, plants, pesticides, art supplies, alcohol and toys.

“It doesn’t take much to make a small child sick,” said Susan Helms, director of Injury Prevention and Safe Kids at Le Bonheur. “Almost half of poison exposures for children under the age of 5 are caused by medicine. Children have faster metabolisms than adults, and anything they ingest will be absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly.”

Child-resistant packaging is credited with saving hundreds of children’s lives since its introduction in the 1970s. Still, there is no substitute for active supervision and childproofing. “If a product label says ‘keep out of reach of children,’ there’s a reason,” said Helms. “Keep it up high and in a locked cabinet.”

Safe Kids Mid-South reminds parents to learn the toll-free poison control center number:                         1-800-222-1222. Helms says, “Keep it near every phone in your home, and program it into your cell phone.” This number connects you to your local poison control center from anywhere in the U.S. 

"If a child is choking, having trouble breathing or having a seizure, call 911 instead” said Helms. “Follow the 911 operator’s instructions. Do not induce vomiting or give the child any fluid or medication unless directed.”

Safe Kids Mid-south offers these additional tips:
 o Keep the toll-free nationwide poison control center number (1-800-222-1222) and local emergency numbers near every telephone.
 o Store potentially poisonous household products and medications in places out of children’s sight and reach.
 o Read labels to find out what is poisonous. Potential hazards include makeup, medicine, plants, cleaning products, pesticides, art supplies and beer, wine and liquor
 o Never leave potentially poisonous household products unattended while in use.
 o Be aware of poisons that may be in your handbag. Store handbags out of the reach of young children.
 o Buy child-resistant packages when available. Keep products in their original packages to avoid confusion.
 o Never leave kids alone with an open container of something you wouldn’t want them to eat or drink. A child can be poisoned in a matter of seconds.
 o Read labels to learn if a product is poisonous and for first aid information.
 o Install a carbon monoxide alarm outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that builds up around fuel-burning appliances and cars in garages. It can make a child seriously ill in concentrations that would barely affect an adult.
 o Discuss these precautions with grandparents and caregivers. They may have medications that can be very dangerous to children, and their homes might not be as well childproofed as yours.

For more information about poison prevention, visit www.safekids.org.