Brown Recluse Spider Bite?

Question

On Friday I think I was bitten by a brown recluse spider and I'm not sure if I need to go to the doctors or is this something that can clear up on its own. The symptoms I have are very sore and stiff hands, two bites on my are that are raised but are not red anymore. Any ideas? The only reason I think its this type of spider is because my bites look like the less severe pictures

Thanx for the answers. Went to drs-definitly spider bite (dont know what kind). Had an allergic reaction to it. On anti-biotics

Answer 1

still go get it checked out...the doctors can only make you better

Answer 2

Go see a doctor right away. You'll likely get a prescription for antibiotics (& possibly antihistamines) to clear up any toxins from the spider bite.

I got bitten by a poisonous spider about a week ago (quite possibly a brown recluse, although I didn't actually *see* it since I was asleep in my bed). It itched like crazy the first day, but the second day it got swollen, tender & puffy and I developed bad muscle spasms in my leg & started running a fever. The bite was encircled by a larger, red area about the size of a silver dollar coin.

The doctors gave me prescriptions for Bactrim, Keflex & Vicodin. The next day the abscess opened up & started draining, but it took awhile longer for the swelling to subside. Now the "dead skin" around the center of the bite is starting to peel.

Long story short: Don't take any chances - get medical treatment asap.

Answer 3

i live in phoenix, az and i also work in trauma icu.

az is known for brown recluse spiders b/c of our warm weather.

my guess is that no you were not bitten by a brown recluse for the simple fact that it happen three days ago. these spiders are severly poisonous and infection/reaction from them happens and spreads quickly. the fact that the redness has resolved it a good sign too

you DO need to report to the emergency room for any of the following:

you develop a fever higher than 101.5
the redness returns more severe than it was initially
you notice red lines running up your arm from the bites towards the rest of your body (means infection has spread into you blood and is now traveling through your bloodstream to the rest of your body)
the bites open up and/or begin to ooze

try apply benadryl or hydrocortisone cream to the bites themselves-this should help reduce any swelling and relieve itching if present.

take ibuprofen for pain and stiffness-it also has an anti-inflammatory in it to reduce swelling. take 200-400mg every 6 hours but don't exceed more than 1200mg in 24 hours.

if the soreness and stiffness doesn't resolve in the next 2-3 days-make an appointment to get check out by your doctor.

Answer 4

Still might not be that type of spider. If it has been a few days you should be OK. You might want to go see a doctor still because infection is your worst fear now.

I could constantly monitor the bite and the area around it. If it swells or becomes more painful I would go to the doctor. Also watch out for any signs that may be infection. Overall I think you will be OK without a doctor. But I have no source except the fact that the worse part of a spider bite is normally the first 48-60 hours. You should be fine but I am no doctor so don't take my advice like its solid or anything.

That's harsh. Forget what I said go see a doc dude. I don't want this to be my fault. I would go now if I were you. I looks like this guy was in the hospital the in tire time too.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dpictures%2Bof%2Bbrown%2Brecluse%2Bbites%26ei%3DUTF-8&h=287&w=320&imgcurl=www.riskindoc.com%2Fimages%2Fspider_bite_day10.jpg&imgurl=www.riskindoc.com%2Fimages%2Fspider_bite_day10.jpg&size=20.7kB&name=spider_bite_day10.jpg&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.riskindoc.com%2Freculse_spider_bite.html&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.riskindoc.com%2Freculse_spider_bite.html&p=brown+recluse+bites&type=jpeg&no=1&tt=206&fr=ush-ans

Answer 5

You were definitely not bitten by a Brown Recluse Spider. If you were, you would most certainly be in the intensive care ward, of a hospital, under 24 watch, by a team of specialists. You were probably bitten by another, less venomous kind of spider, or some other kind of insect. Brown Recluse bites are often fatal, and cause large festering wounds, of narcotizing flesh.
You should be extremely thankful, that you weren't bit by one.

Answer 6

Boy there sure seem to be a lot of experts on Brown Recluse bites here... But I'll trust the word of a specialist, who says that hardly anyone actually needs medical treatment, and that these bites heal up nicely on their own within a few months.

http://www.snopes.com/photos/bugs/brownrecluse.asp

Answer 7

At least call the doctor or medical center and see what they advise. Venomous spider bites are most often severe or fatal to children or the elderly but you still might need attention.

Answer 8

that type of spider bite can rot your skin. your best bet would be to visit a doctor even if u think it's clearing up. you never know what kinda danage could be going on inside. you dont wanna end up having some of your skin rotten and have it cut out.

Answer 9

yeah one idea, are there anymore spiders and did they lay eggs yes, and they usually live in drop ceilings and under your bed-springs and come out at night and bite some more so go to the doctor and check your spider situation out!

Answer 10

I would see a doctor asap. Oh my god the post above is best answer (Triumph). Not for the weak of stomach!!

Instead of going right to the doctor, call Poison Control hotline for advice and to find out if hospitals can treat that.

Answer 11

Brown recluse bites are very serious, if you actually recieved one of these bites it would have a very bulleye look about it. You should seek medical care very fast as necrosis can occur.