The most common symptom in addition to the bite is a migraine headache. Aggressive house spider bites generally require only local wound cleaning, topical antibiotics and tetanus prophylaxis. Skin grafting is rarely necessary. In contrast, treatment of brown recluse bites involves cleaning the wound, applying topical antibiotics and tetanus prophylaxis. Topical corticosteroids are not helpful, but systemic corticosteroids and dapsone may be helpful.
Skin grafting is sometimes necessary.
Diagnosis is difficult because the spider is rarely seen or recovered. If a spider is not captured in the act or vicinity, all evidence is circumstantial. The resulting effects of the bite should be carefully compared to those associated with systemic arachnidism. The aggressive house spider is a common biter. It is easily provoked and will be aggressive when crowded.