The Redback Bite and its Treatment

It is not very likely that the offending Redback on the toilet seat in Slim Newton's famous song was a male. Generally, only the female is large enough to deliver an effective bite to a human.

The initial bite of the Redback is easily dismissed. Though it is usually felt, it is not said to be painful. Some victims, however, have reported a 'burning sensation'. To add to the confusion, puncture marks are not always evident.

It is after a few minutes that the Redback bite becomes truly apparent. In most cases, intense local pain is experienced about five minutes after the bite.

The Redback Spider bite is diagnosed by localised sweating at the site of the bite. Common symptoms (about 40% of cases) include sweating, muscular weakness, paralysis, stiffness, loss of coordination and tremors. Less common symptoms (about 10% of cases) include muscular weakness, nausea, vomiting, local redness and swelling, dizziness or fainting, rapid or irregular heartbeat, insomnia, rigours, fever and muscle spasms.

A range of other unusual reactions have also been recorded: tetanic spasms (severe muscle spasms), tingling in the teeth, swelling of the tongue, infection of the bite, convulsions, thirst, diarrhoea, shock, rashes, patches of sweating and severe inflammation of the eyes. Redback venom is usually slow- acting and serious illness should not develop for at least three hours.

No specific first aid should be applied, as localising the venom may intensify the pain at the site of the bite.

The best action is to transport the person immediately and without panic to medical aid. In severe cases, antivenom will be administered to relieve the symptoms of the bite. Symptoms will generally clear within a week. However, in some cases, certain symptoms may linger for up to two months.