| Consider methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in a patient presenting with a suspected spider bite. Many purported spider bites are bacterial pyodermas or other skin conditions. | C | 2, 3 |
| Black widow spider bites should be treated with intravenous benzodiazepines for muscle spasm and narcotics for pain. | C | 4, 5 |
| Black widow antivenom should be reserved for patients with significant pain that has not responded to conventional treatment with benzodiazepines and narcotics. | C | 4, 5 |
| Wound cleansing and minor debridement are the mainstays for managing necrotic brown recluse bites. | C | 6–8 |
| Tick bites should be treated with prophylactic doxycycline (200 mg in a single dose) only when an engorged black-legged tick is acquired in a high-risk area for Lyme disease. Antibiotics are effective if given within 72 hours of tick removal. | C | 11 |
| Antihistamines are the best first-line therapy for most insect bites. | C | 21 |
