Brown recluse bites often start with mild redness followed by pain and itching.
The bite is usually flat, though it may develop a small blister.
If you suspect a brown recluse spider bite, start by thoroughly washing the area with soap and water.
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Apply an antibiotic cream, such as bacitracin, to help prevent infection, and contact a healthcare provider.
Signs and Symptoms
Brown recluse spider bites often cause mild symptoms or go unnoticed.
Loxoscelism is a condition brought on by the venom of the brown recluse.
It leads to tissue damage or, rarely, systemic (full body) reactions.
Symptoms can develop hours to weeks after a bite, depending on the severity of the reaction.
They usually bite when threatened or squished between the skin and another surface.
Thus, if you have more than one bite, it’s probably not a recluse spider.
Bites from October to March are less likely, as the spiders are less active during this time.
This is because the venom damages tiny blood vessels, stopping red blood cells from reaching the area.
More severe bites often have a white, blue, or purple center instead.
E - elevated:Brown recluse bites are usually flat or slightly sunken.
There are exceptions to this, however.
A skin sore that lasts longer than this is most likely triggered by a chronic skin condition.
Bites that happen repeatedly are also unlikely to be a recluse spider.
A sore that forms much sooner is more likely resulting from another skin condition.
However, bites above the neck can lead to severe swelling, potentially restricting breathing.
While brown recluse bites may form a small, fluid-filled blister, most are dry.
If a lesion oozes fluid, its more likely another bacterial infection.
However, an infected brown recluse bite may also ooze.
It is not meant for self-diagnosis.
If you suspect a brown recluse bite or notice signs of infection or loxoscelism, get medical attention immediately.
What Can It Be Mistaken For?
Brown recluse bite symptoms commonly mimic those due to other types of bites and skin conditions.
Complications
Untreated brown recluse spider bites can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications.
Localized infections, such ascellulitis, can spread to deeper layers of the skin.
In rare cases of systemic loxoscelism, complications may include:
Systemic loxoscelism is a medical emergency.
It’s rare, but if it is not treated, it can lead to death.
Fortunately, very few deaths due to loxoscelism have been reported.
Treatment
There are no specific antidotes for brown recluse spider venom.
If you happen to know what bit you, let your healthcare provider know.
New Bites
Cleaning:Always clean new bug bites with soap and water.
If available, apply a topical antibiotic ointment, such as bacitracin or neomycin, to prevent infection.
Start by resting and icing the area, taking care not to apply ice directly to the skin.
Wrap the area with acompression bandage, if possible, then elevate it above heart level.
If the pain is severe, contact a healthcare provider to have it evaluated.
Antibiotics:You may be given a course of oral antibiotics if you have a mild infection.
If it’s severe, you will be given intravenous (IV) antibiotics in the hospital.
Sepsis:Should the infection progress to sepsis, you will need to be treated aggressively.
You will needantibioticsright away and IV fluids to prevent dehydration.
You will also be given supportive care based on your symptoms.
If your kidneys are affected, it could includedialysis.
In some cases, surgery may be needed to removedead tissuesor amputate a limb.
The healthcare provider will clean the wound and recommend that you use the RICE technique.
Pain relief:You may be given anonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication(NSAID) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Very severe pain may be treated with an opioid, such as morphine.
Hospitalization:You will be admitted to the hospital if you have signs of systemic loxoscelism.
You will likely be given antibiotics and pain relievers.
Supportive care:Once hospitalized, you will be given supportive care based on your symptoms.
For example, if your breathing is affected, you will be givenoxygen therapy.
If you develop hemolytic anemia, you may be given ablood transfusion.
Surgery:Severe cases of necrosis may require surgery.
Hiding places:Brown recluses like dark, dry places where they can hide under things.
You may also find them under a woodpile outside.
They will only bite out of self-defense.
Appearance:Brown recluse spiders have long, angular, smooth brown legs without any stripes or patterns.
Their body is roughly the size of a quarter, with a lightly fuzzy abdomen.
Unlike most spiders, they have six eyes arranged in three pairs.
Identifying a brown recluse is difficult even for spider experts and healthcare providers.
Clean the bite area with soap and water and watch it closely for changes.
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