Brown Recluse Spider Bite Treatment and First Aid Information

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Does a Brown Recluse Spider Look Like?
• Picture of a Brown Recluse Bite
• Brown Recluse Bite Symptoms
• Brown Recluse Bite Diagnosis
• Brown Recluse Treatment

It’s rare for someone to stumble upon a brown recluse spider because these eight-legged creatures are true to their name: They prefer to be left alone. They tend to live in indoor and outdoor spaces where people don’t go most of the time. If you do find yourself in the same place as one, though, it won’t want to attack you — it’ll want to get out of your way. But if it feels trapped, it may bite you.

Brown recluse spiders are one of two spiders found in the United States that can cause real trouble if they bite you. They produce harmful venom that may cause a painful sore at the site of the bite. It may cause even more severe symptoms in some people. If you have a run-in with a brown recluse, it’s wise to have a doctor check you out, just in case.

A brown recluse might not be brown, but tan. It has a violin-shaped area on the front half of its body, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the spider’s abdomen.

It may be bigger than other spiders that you’re used to seeing. Its body can range in size from a quarter-inch to three-quarters of an inch, and its long legs make it appear even larger.

Most spiders have eight eyes, but a brown recluse spider has six. Two are in the front, and there are two more on each side of its head.

Brown recluses are found mostly in the Midwest or the South. The spider favors indoor spaces, like attics, garages, or dark closets. Outdoors, it hides in out-of-the-way places — under logs, beneath porches, or within piles of rocks.

Brown recluse spider bite symptoms usually develop 2 to 8 hours after a bite.

Brown recluse spider bites often go unnoticed initially because they are usually painless bites. Occasionally, some minor burning that feels like a bee stingis noticed at the time of the bite. Symptoms usually develop 2-8 hours after a bite. Keep in mind that most bites cause little tissue destruction.

Initially the bite site is mildly red and upon close inspection may reveal fang marks. Within a few hours, the redness gives way to pallor with a red ring surrounding the area, or a “bull’s-eye” appearance. The lesion will often appear to flow downhill over the course of many hours. The center area will then often blister, which over 12-48 hours can sink, changing color, often turning bluish then black as this area of tissue dies.

Within the first day or two after you’ve been bitten, you may notice:

• Pain or redness at the site of the bite
• A deep sore (ulcer) that forms where you were bitten
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Joint pain
• Feeling weak
• Seizures or coma (very rare)

Your doctor will want to be as certain as they can that you were, in fact, bitten by a spider. It’ll help if you can describe what the spider looked like. Some people try to catch the bug to show the doctor. That’s fine, as long as you can do it safely. You might just try to take a photo of it.

If you suspect your small child was bitten by a brown recluse, see your doctor right away. Their bodies can’t ward off the dangerous effects of the spider’s venom.

For adults, most brown recluse spider bites can be treated at home with good results. But about 10% of them cause ulcers or blisters that damage your skin so badly that you need a doctor’s care.

If your symptoms are mild, try these simple home remedies:

• Clean it with soap and water.
• Apply antibiotic cream.
• If you were bitten on an arm or leg, keep it raised while you’re resting. This can reduce swelling.
• Put ice on it.
• Take over-the-counter pain medicine.
• Watch for more severe symptoms.

See a doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms:

• The bite has formed an ulcer or blister with a dark (blue, purple, or black) center.
• You’re in extreme pain.
• You have an infection at the site of the bite.
• You’re having trouble breathing.

Some spider bites can have tetanus spores, so you might need a tetanus shot after you’ve been bitten. If you have an infection, you may need antibiotics.

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Brown Recluse Spider Bite Treatment and First Aid Information

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Does a Brown Recluse Spider Look Like?
• Picture of a Brown Recluse Bite
• Brown Recluse Bite Symptoms
• Brown Recluse Bite Diagnosis
• Brown Recluse Treatment

It’s rare for someone to stumble upon a brown recluse spider because these eight-legged creatures are true to their name: They prefer to be left alone. They tend to live in indoor and outdoor spaces where people don’t go most of the time. If you do find yourself in the same place as one, though, it won’t want to attack you — it’ll want to get out of your way. But if it feels trapped, it may bite you.

Brown recluse spiders are one of two spiders found in the United States that can cause real trouble if they bite you. They produce harmful venom that may cause a painful sore at the site of the bite. It may cause even more severe symptoms in some people. If you have a run-in with a brown recluse, it’s wise to have a doctor check you out, just in case.

A brown recluse might not be brown, but tan. It has a violin-shaped area on the front half of its body, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the spider’s abdomen.

It may be bigger than other spiders that you’re used to seeing. Its body can range in size from a quarter-inch to three-quarters of an inch, and its long legs make it appear even larger.

Most spiders have eight eyes, but a brown recluse spider has six. Two are in the front, and there are two more on each side of its head.

Brown recluses are found mostly in the Midwest or the South. The spider favors indoor spaces, like attics, garages, or dark closets. Outdoors, it hides in out-of-the-way places — under logs, beneath porches, or within piles of rocks.

Brown recluse spider bite symptoms usually develop 2 to 8 hours after a bite.

Brown recluse spider bites often go unnoticed initially because they are usually painless bites. Occasionally, some minor burning that feels like a bee stingis noticed at the time of the bite. Symptoms usually develop 2-8 hours after a bite. Keep in mind that most bites cause little tissue destruction.

Initially the bite site is mildly red and upon close inspection may reveal fang marks. Within a few hours, the redness gives way to pallor with a red ring surrounding the area, or a “bull’s-eye” appearance. The lesion will often appear to flow downhill over the course of many hours. The center area will then often blister, which over 12-48 hours can sink, changing color, often turning bluish then black as this area of tissue dies.

Within the first day or two after you’ve been bitten, you may notice:

• Pain or redness at the site of the bite
• A deep sore (ulcer) that forms where you were bitten
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Joint pain
• Feeling weak
• Seizures or coma (very rare)

Your doctor will want to be as certain as they can that you were, in fact, bitten by a spider. It’ll help if you can describe what the spider looked like. Some people try to catch the bug to show the doctor. That’s fine, as long as you can do it safely. You might just try to take a photo of it.

If you suspect your small child was bitten by a brown recluse, see your doctor right away. Their bodies can’t ward off the dangerous effects of the spider’s venom.

For adults, most brown recluse spider bites can be treated at home with good results. But about 10% of them cause ulcers or blisters that damage your skin so badly that you need a doctor’s care.

If your symptoms are mild, try these simple home remedies:

• Clean it with soap and water.
• Apply antibiotic cream.
• If you were bitten on an arm or leg, keep it raised while you’re resting. This can reduce swelling.
• Put ice on it.
• Take over-the-counter pain medicine.
• Watch for more severe symptoms.

See a doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms:

• The bite has formed an ulcer or blister with a dark (blue, purple, or black) center.
• You’re in extreme pain.
• You have an infection at the site of the bite.
• You’re having trouble breathing.

Some spider bites can have tetanus spores, so you might need a tetanus shot after you’ve been bitten. If you have an infection, you may need antibiotics.

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What to do if bitten by a spider

Likbez

Health

July 25, 2021

The main thing is to understand whether it was poisonous.

You can listen to the article. If it’s more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

Spiders that live in the middle latitudes in nature are usually harmless to humans. You need to be wary of poisonous species that live in warm regions or sometimes become pets.

How to tell which spider has bitten

Each of them has its own characteristics that will help the doctor understand what kind of help is needed. Here are the most dangerous spiders for humans.

Black Widow

This is a small arthropod. The size of the body together with the limbs is about 2.5 cm. The animal is black in color, there is a red spot in the form of an hourglass on the abdomen. In the south of Russia, a poisonous relative of the widow lives – karakurt. He also has a black body, but instead there will be red spots of arbitrary shape.

Photo: Jay Ondreicka / Shutterstock

After a bite, there are practically no marks left on the skin, only sometimes – redness and swelling. But these symptoms appear:

• painful muscle spasms for 8 hours;
• abdominal pain and muscle tension in the abdominal wall;
• nausea and vomiting;
• breathing problems;
• tremor and sweating.

Tarantula

This is a large spider, up to 10 cm long. All covered with coarse brown hairs.

Photo: bwagner99 / Shutterstock

If it bites a person, there will be signs of an allergic reaction:

• swelling at the site of the bite;
• labored breathing;
• pruritus and rash;
• swelling of the eyelids, lips and throat;
• palpitations;
• low blood pressure.

Yellow bag spider

Found in most of Europe, including Russia. The size of the female is 10–15 mm, and the male is 7.5–12 mm. The spider has a yellow or beige abdomen with a black stripe. After the bite, there is a strong burning pain. The most unpleasant sensations occur in the first 5–20 minutes, and after a couple of hours everything usually goes away. Sometimes there is swelling and redness at the site of the wound.

Photo: Rainer Fuhrmann / Shutterstock

Crosshead

It lives all over Europe. The length of the female is 6.5–20 mm, and that of the male is 5.5–13 mm. It is a brown spider with a cross-shaped belly spot.

Photo: Erik Karits / Shutterstock

Sometimes crosses bite. Swelling and redness may occur at the site of the wound. Other symptoms may appear and persist for up to several weeks:

• restlessness;
• nausea;
• headache;
• muscle spasms.

When to See a Doctor

You need medical attention if:

• You know or suspect you have been bitten by a venomous spider.
• The wound is very sore, enlarged or swollen.
• Abdominal cramps appeared.
• You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Redness or scarlet streaks in the wound area.

If an infection is suspected at the bite site, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. You may also be offered a tetanus shot. And with a bite from a black widow and the appearance of dangerous signs, an antidote will be administered.

What to do if there are no dangerous symptoms

Then you can deal with the problem yourself. To do this:

• Wash the bite with soap and water.
• Apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
• Apply a cool damp cloth or ice to the wound for 10 minutes. Then remove and after 10 minutes repeat the procedure again.
• If the spider has bitten an arm or leg, raise the limb. So there will be no swelling.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

How to avoid being bitten by a spider

They only bite defensively. For example, if a person accidentally hooked a spider, waves his arms in front of him, or got into his territory. So it’s better to take measures not to run into these creatures.

• Learn what dangerous spiders look like and where they live.
• If you work or clean in the basement, garage, attic, wear long sleeves, tuck your trousers into your socks, wear gloves and a hat.
• Shake out gardening gloves and shoes.
• Apply repellent to clothing.
• Install protective nets on windows and doors, seal cracks to prevent spiders from entering the house.
• Use safe insecticides.
• Do not leave piles of stones or logs around the house where spiders can live.
• Don’t put your bed close to the wall so that the spider can’t crawl on you at night.
• Vacuum up arthropods and cobwebs, then shake into an airtight bag.
• If you notice a spider on your skin, don’t press it down, just shake it off.
• When cleaning the tarantula enclosure, use gloves, a surgical mask, and goggles.

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Spider bite allergy: symptoms, prevention and treatment

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• All about allergies
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• Allergy to spider bites: symptoms, prevention and treatment

Contents

Danger from spider bites

Most of the existing spiders, which are about 3000 species, are absolutely harmless. Even if they want to bite, their teeth are too weak to pierce human skin. But there are categories of these arthropods that manage not only to pierce the bodily shell, but also to introduce toxic substances into the body. About the varieties of biting parasites, about their “dirty” business and appearance, read below.

Seek medical attention if bitten by the following types of spiders:

brown recluse;

black widow;

hobo spider;

tarantula;

Brazilian wandering (banana) spider.

How to “not get hooked” by poisonous spiders?

It is quite difficult to notice the attack of a spider. It doesn’t sting too painfully. Especially if the bite occurs in the summer. That’s when other insects are active, and you may not be able to tell exactly who bit you. Spider bite can be distinguished by the following features:

– swelling;

– red halo around the bite;

– severe damage to the skin;

In case of extreme sensitivity, the following symptoms are observed:

– itching and rash,

– pain in the area of ​​the bite;

– muscle spasms;

– red or purple bubble;

– sweating;

– difficult breathing;

– headache;

– nausea and vomiting

– fever,

– fever

– swollen lymph nodes

– increased pressure.

Spider bites take longer to heal than other insect bites. They damage skin tissue. Therefore, scratching wounds can lead to sepsis.

Consider poisonous spiders in more detail.

Brown recluse

You may not notice any stings from him at all. After all, at first it is almost not noticeable. The bite site will begin to itch, hurt and redden not earlier than after 8 hours. Further, a red ring is formed around the wound, which resembles a target. If you do not see a doctor in time, blisters may form, and then the surrounding tissue will begin to die, and fever, fever, and severe headache will appear.

In addition, spider bites can cause seizures, jaundice, blood in the urine, and sometimes even coma.

There is no vaccine against the attack of this parasite, so you need to be very careful, and in case of a bite, consult a doctor. He will prescribe a course of antibiotics, and in the most advanced cases, you will have to go to the hospital.

Black Widow

This “lady” has a bright and attractive appearance. She is a shiny brunette with a red hourglass mark on her back. The spider loves loneliness and lives in warm places. Such as fallen leaves, firewood, boxes in the attic. Only the female has poisonous properties. Her bite is not painful, but with a whole train of negative consequences. First, two small punctures appear on the body. Then uncontrolled muscle spasm begins, pain and burning at the puncture site. After some time, the victim will feel the following symptoms:

· headache;

pressure increase;

· sweating and salivation;

nausea and vomiting

numbness of extremities;

fear and anxiety.

Fortunately, there is a cure for such a poison, so you should immediately seek medical help.

Brazilian wandering spider

These parasites love warmth. Consequently, due to climate change and the active movement of people and goods between continents, new areas are being captured. They live behind furniture, under skirting boards and in closets. They have long legs and move quickly. At first, the bite of a tramp is imperceptible, but after 15 minutes you will feel all its “charms”. Namely:

– pain and tissue necrosis

– redness;

– discharge of black liquid from a wound;

– hearing impairment

– weakness in the joints;

– nausea and sweating.

Tramp bites heal very slowly. The treatment is the same as for the bite of a recluse spider. Corticosteroid creams, antibiotics, or surgery are indicated. But for the past 15 years, vagrant bites have not been considered dangerous. Most often, the victim will feel nothing but redness, slight swelling, and pain.

Tarantula

The appearance of this spider is rather peculiar. It is massive, with a mouth apparatus in the form of noticeable sharp plates resembling fangs, with which it digs into the body of the victim. The animal has a bright hairline. Lives in the open. It hides under rocks, in tree trunks and in burrows. Unlike its relatives, it is not at all aggressive. It only bites on close contact. The bite is painful but not fatal. Immediately after the attack, the following symptoms will appear:

rash,

edema

pruritus

palpitations;

difficult breathing;

low blood pressure.

Treatment can be easy without antibiotics, but medical attention is still needed.

Brazilian wandering (wandering or banana) spider

Considered one of the most poisonous spiders in the world. And although it is Brazilian, it is already found in Ukraine. Moves quickly, behaves aggressively. Its bite is extremely painful. Immediately after it, severe sweating and salivation occur. The skin swells, reddens and becomes hot. If you do not immediately seek medical help and do not administer an antidote, an encounter with a “predator” can end in sudden death.

Spider Bite Prevention

If you have started a general cleaning with a potential entry into an area where spiders live, the following precautions must be observed:

1. Wear as close clothing as possible;

2. If you’re working in the woods, in the attic, doing cosmetic repairs, put on a hat and a long-sleeved shirt. Be sure to tuck your pants into your socks.

3. Shake out work gloves, shoes and clothes that you haven’t worn in a while, as spiders can hide in them.

4. Do not keep stones, lumber or firewood in the house

5. Do not push the bed against the wall and do not put things in it.

Treatment of spider bites

Treatment depends on the type of spider and the reaction to the bite. But in any case, the following steps should be taken:

1. Wash the affected area with soap and water and apply an antibiotic cream;

2. Apply an ice pack to the bite and change it every 10 minutes

3.