The Spider Research Project

The white-tailed spider is a native of Australia. A bite from the male or female of the species CAN cause extreme itching, painful blistering and ulceration in certain individuals. Confirmed cases from our files have ranged from 6 month old babies to people in their 80’s. 

* If not treated promptly, the possible onset of gangrene is a real concern. Untreated gangrene carries the risk of amputation of a limb. 

*The usual method of first aid has no place in the care and treatment of this spider’s bite. The Poison Information Centre advises applying ice while making one’s way to the hospital. 

* These spiders can be found in homes, in heaps of clothing left on the floor, in shoes and boots, under chairs, in piles of newspapers, woodpiles and in the garden.  

If you have been bitten by a white-tailed spider or any other, make every attempt to catch it and take it with you to hospital. It can then be correctly identified for treatment purposes. If you have squashed the spider, scrape it up carefully, because spiders have relatively indestructible parts and could still be identified. 

The longer-term effects from the bite can cause circulation problems, depression, loss of confidence, loss of independence and can virtually ruin your way of life. 

To date there have been two reported deaths and a suicide from the bite of this spider. The white-tailed spider represents a significant hazard to the public and their pets. Our case files document 2 dogs and 1 cat affected by white-tailed spider venom resulting in their euthanasia.

Should you have any queries please contact 08 8558 2738 or susim@senet.com.au 

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Human hair and skin can consist of between 10 - 14 % cysteine. Cysteine is one of the many amino acids or proteins that make up the human body. Many spider bite victims have reported improvements in ulcer healing times and recovery rates due to the addition of this supplement. At one time cysteine was being investigated as a possible initial treatment for spider bite at the University of South Queensland. This research was inconclusive. Nevertheless, many anecdotal reports exist of improved recovery and healing by Support Group members, when it was included in the detoxification regime of the individual. 

Foods that are rich in cysteine and it’s precursor methionine are also rich in saturated animal fats and high amounts of uric acids once digested. It is for these reasons that persons choose the supplements that are easy to take during the healing process and are then stopped. 

L-Cysteine is an amino acid that is closely related to cysteine. Both have roles in skin formation, the detoxification of harmful toxins and anti-aging. It can also be used to aid recovery from burns, wounds and surgical operations such as skin grafts. 

Consult a trained practitioner for the correct supplement and dosage. The Support Group members have reported the many brands on the market and a particular product has proven to be superior above all others. It is readily available in Health Shops and from the Internet. Remember to check the use-by-date. The Support Group advises you consult with your Medical Practitioner.

SPIDER BITE VICTIMS' SUPPORT GROUP
PO Box 156, Yankalilla 5203
CONFIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Your name:_______________________ Phone:_________________

Address:

1. Date of bite __________________________________________
2. Where on your body were you bitten? ________________________
3. Did you see the spider? Yes/No

   ________________________________________________

4. What happened to the spider?

   ________________________________________________

5. Can you describe what kind of spider? Yes/No

6. Did you have the spider identified? Yes/No By whom?

_____________________________________________________

7. What resulted from the bite?

a. Did you find blisters? Yes/No b. Did you find a hot reddened area? Yes/No

c. Did an ulcer follow? Yes/No

d. Did you experience breathing problems? Yes/No

e. Did you go into respiratory shutdown? Yes/No

Anything more? ___________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

8. Did you consult a Doctor or Casualty Department? Yes/No

_____________________________________________________

9. Do you have to use Adrenaline for breathing problems? Yes/No

 10. Name and Address of treating GP/Specialists

 11. What method of treatment was used?

a. Antibiotics Yes/No

b. Antihistamines Yes/No

c. Other

Any comments _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

12. Are you allergic to Penicillin? Yes/No

13. How long did you suffer? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. Have you had further satellite outbreaks? Yes/No

If Yes:

1. Dates/Years they occurred ____________________________________________
2. Place on the body they occurred________________________
3. Did you experience? Blisters Yes/No

d. Was skin grafting necessary? Yes/No

e. Were blood/tissue samples taken? Yes/No

Details:________________________________________________

f. Did you spend time in hospital? Yes/No

How long on each occasion? _____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. Are you still experiencing problems? Yes/No

If Yes, please detail, together with anything else which might be relevant.

We aim to develop a register of spider bite victims around Australia and New Zealand, particularly those of the white-tailed spider (Lampona sp) and Wolf spiders(Lycosa sp).

Petitions are being distributed will be presented in the Australian Federal Senate.

A mail out service has been established at minimal cost by donation.

Information meetings will be held in the future as the number of members increases. It is extremely important that those who are suffering should be able to get the correct advice and treatment, and that the current situation is brought to the attention of the Local, State and Federal Governments.

PETITION: We the undersigned wish to bring to the attention of the Government the urgent need for funding, to enable scientists and doctors involved in researching the bite and damage caused by the White-tailed spider, to find a test and anti-venom to be used in treating victims who are suffering unnecessarily because funding was cut. This is very urgently required.

SPIDER BITE VICTIM’S
SUPPORT GROUP
HELEN MIDGLEY, President
P.O. Box 156,
YANKALILLA 5203
South Australia
Phone/Fax 08 85582738
Mobile 0418 812 667
susim@senet.com.au 

A spider bite is an assault and an insult to the human body. It affects the immune system and loads the circulatory system with toxins that it is not adapted to deal with.

After the initial pain and swelling of the spider bite, many members have reported on their questionnaires that they have been left with headaches, liver problems, gastro-intestinal complaints and diseases relating to their immune systems that they did not have any signs of before the spider bite.

As well as informing the general community about the injuries that spider bite may cause, research into detoxification and the role that diet plays in recovery in on-going. Research is being carries out by a volunteer with a background in nutrition and health. Sources range from books, the Internet and contact with naturopathic practitioners and dietitians.

Many members mention in their questionnaires that certain foods trigger certain reactions in their bodies during recovery and we have found their reactions to range from very individual ones to great similarities amongst all members.

Many members have benefited from allergy testing by a qualified practitioner - we have many in our register contact us for their name and number. The Group recommends this plan of action because food reactions can have an effect on the recovery rate of the spider bite sufferer by creating another toxic load for the already exhausted liver to deal with.

The issue of the ingestion of sugar by spider bite victims has created some useful debate within the Group- members report that eating any sugary foods especially chocolate bring on unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms have included headaches, migraines, rashes, muscular problems and joint pains. Eliminating the offending food saw an improvement in their symptoms.

If you would like a more comprehensive booklet about the role of detoxification and dietary guidelines for recovery please contact the Support Group on 08 8558 2738.

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