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Systemic Symptoms Following a Wolf Spider Bite in a Child

Bharati B Bansal1, Goutham Aelluri1, Ray Tsai1

  • 1Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.

Wilderness & Environmental Medicine
|June 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Wolf spider bites in the US are rare and usually mild. This case details a 10-year-old boy experiencing severe systemic symptoms, including vomiting and abdominal pain, after a wolf spider bite.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Arachnology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Wolf spiders (Lycosidae) are globally distributed but rarely reported to cause significant envenomation in the United States.
  • Existing literature suggests wolf spider bites typically result in minor, localized symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of systemic envenomation following a wolf spider bite in a pediatric patient.
  • To highlight the atypical presentation of wolf spider envenomation.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 10-year-old boy presenting with acute symptoms after a suspected wolf spider bite.
  • Clinical observation and supportive care management.

Main Results:

  • The patient experienced rapid onset of severe systemic symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache.
  • Symptoms resolved completely within 3 hours with supportive care, with no lasting complications.

Conclusions:

  • This case demonstrates that wolf spider bites can cause significant systemic effects, contrary to commonly held beliefs.
  • Physicians should consider systemic reactions in patients presenting with symptoms after wolf spider exposure, particularly in regions where they are prevalent.

Keywords:
envenomationpediatricswolf spider

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