Brown Recluse Spider Bite?

Question

On Oct. 13 I was bit by a Brown Recluse spider. When I began getting red streaks going down my arm 3 days later I went to the doctor. The doctor agreed that it probably was a Brown Recluse based on symptoms (others besides those listed here), appearance of the wound and the fact I've killed several around my house recently.

I didn't nor do I now have the dying tissue symptom. He gave me anti-biotics and told me it would take some time to heal. This was not my regular doctor but his associate. My concern is the lingering lightheadness, foggy thinking, nausea, and vision problems. Plus I still feel weak and generally not well. The venom at the site is no longer a large tender lump under the skin but seems to have dispersed. Where has the venom gone?

My family thinks I need to go back to the doctor though I don't think he can do much. I think all this will eventually pass and that it takes time to recover from the venom in my body. Should I be concerne

Answer 1

what you described is a general systemic reaction to the venom, it will take your liver and kidneys about two weeks to filter out the venom. You may benefit from taking Benedryl at bedtime as this limits the histamine response from your body. And remember to take all the antibiotics.
There is no serum for brown recluse, so you are right, there isn't much more the doctor can do for you. If you develop fever, or difficulty breathing, get to an emergency room, you may need medical support therapies to get past that.

Answer 2

Just as a thought, check under your matress and in your sheets - I read about a case where a woman kept going back to the doctor with recluse bite symptoms but couldn't find the problem, until she cleaner her entire house and flipped her matress. The book I read that is called The Red Hourglass by Gordon Grice - its a really fascinating book that covers a couple of poisonous spiders, and its got a chapter on the brown recluse including the different reactions people can have to their bites.Really good read, even if you don't like bugs.

Answer 3

The bite of the brown recluse spider can result in a painful, deep wound that takes a long time to heal. Fatalities are extremely rare, but bites are most dangerous to young children, the elderly, and those in poor physical condition. When there is a severe reaction to the bite, the site can erupt into a "volcano lesion" (a hole in the flesh due to damaged, gangrenous tissue). The open wound may range from the size of an adult's thumbnail to the span of a hand. The dead tissue gradually sloughs away, exposing underlying tissues. The sunken, ulcerating sore may heal slowly up to 6 to 8 weeks. Full recovery may take several months and scarring may remain.

It is difficult for a physician to accurately diagnose a "brown recluse bite" based simply on wound characteristics. It is absolutely necessary to have the spider for a positive identification. Necrotic wounds can result from a variety of agents such as bacteria (Staphylococcus, "flesh-eating" Streptococcus, etc.), viruses, fungi, and arthropods (non-recluse spiders, centipedes, mites, ticks, wasps, bedbugs, kissing bugs, biting flies, etc.). Necrotic conditions also can be caused by vascular and lymphatic disorders, drug reactions, underlying diseases states, and a variety of other agents. An annotated list of conditions that could be mistaken for a brown recluse spider bite is available at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2002/08/05/hlsa0805.htm

Answer 4

Red Recluse

Answer 5

I got bit several years ago by a brown recluse and it took about a month for the venom to quick reeking havic on my body.....if the knot is gone from the bite that is a good sign......as long as there are no red streaks at the bite sight now you are ok......keep the bite clean and dry and use iodine on it...that will take any venom that is left in the bite out. Good luck.

Answer 6

This is what little I know about the Brown Recluse Spider and it's Bite, My sister is a RN with a CLNC

After initial evaluation, your doctor may provide the following treatment:

Tetanus immunization

Pain medication

Antibiotics

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for itch relief
There is no antivenom available in the United States to counteract the poisonous venom of the brown recluse spider. Controversial therapies include steroids and the drug dapsone (Avlosulfon). These are often reserved for people with severe systemic disease (such as certain types of anemia, blood clotting problems, and kidney failure). The therapies have little proven benefit.

You will follow-up with your doctor because most wounds will need to be checked daily for at least 3-4 days. Necrotic lesions will need close follow-up. The doctor may carefully remove dead tissue in necrotic areas to reduce secondary bacterial infections.
After your initial evaluation by your doctor, you may expect this type of follow-up:
Daily follow-up of wounds for the first 96 hours to assess possibility or extent of necrosis of wound

Hospitalization for people with systemic disease

Continuation of antibiotics until secondary infections clear

Follow-up with a plastic surgeon if necrosis of the wound is evident

The majority of brown recluse bites cause little permanent skin damage, although, in some cases, moderate to severe tissue destruction is possible. The full extent of damage to tissues is not known for days. It may take many months for the wound to completely heal.
Brown recluse bites are noted for somewhat slow development and often take up to 12 hours to reveal themselves. Necrosis of skin (death of the skin), if it occurs, does so in the first 96 hours. Bites older than this not revealing tissue death have not been reported to worsen.
Necrotic lesions can be difficult to manage, and early surgery to remove dead tissue has not been shown to improve outcomes. Necrotic lesions with careful cleaning are allowed to mature for weeks until spreading stops and healing appears to occur. Then a wide area of tissue around the wound is removed and skin grafting may be done once all evidence of skin necrosis has subsided.

Answer 7

brown recluse spiders are poisenous, but depending on the amount of venom compared to your body weight you ay or may not have a concern about it. i suggest going to a second doctor, better to be safe then sorry.

Answer 8

My dad got bit by 1 of those damn spiders and it took him 6 months to get all the way better...Had flu symptoms for what seemed like forever. His guy said its all part of the venom they shoot into you...I'd go back to the real Dr. and let him look you over. I'd say you just gotta ride it out till that crap works its way thru your system.

Answer 9

Um the: lingering lightheadness, foggy thinking, nausea, and vision problems should be enough to tell you that you need to go back to the doctor. I'd rather go back and find out that I'm okay and that there is nothing left that can be done than die!!

Answer 10

It can't hurt to leave the doctor a message or see what the nurse thinks. (If your doctor's office can do that.) In any case, you don't want to be the one in a million who should have checked one little thing, but didn't... One phone call, today.