my husband got bit by a brown spider and we live in south texas, do you know what kind of spider it was and?

Question

what should we do. It happened maybe 1-2 hours ago when he was at work. He said that a brown spider bit him but he is not sure what kind it was. I think that it was a brown reculeuse, right now the site is a little red and it stings like a bee sting. He kinda thinks that a bee stung him but he didnt see a bee only a spider. I have tried to make him go to the hospital but he said that its ok but I am worried. What should I do and does anyone know anything about brown spider bites because I am clueless about it. Thank you so much

Answer 1

GO TO THE HOSPITAL NOW!

If you even suspect that it is a brown recluse spider they are very venomous and can cause harmful damage.

# The Brown Recluse venom produces a condition called "necrotic arachnoidism." The bite itself may be completely painless or cause intense pain that lasts two to eight hours. A small blister forms at the site within six to eight hours. The surrounding tissue begins to darken and takes on sharply raised edges resulting in a sunken area which may be several centimeters in diameter. The wound heals very slowly, and sometimes scars have been reported as large as a half- dollar.
# Occasionally, there is a systemic reaction within 24-36 hours that includes chills, fever, nausea, weakness and joint pain. It is almost impossible to positively determine a brown recluse bite without having collected the spider, because there are a number of other skin afflictions that could be misdiagnosed as brown recluse bites, including complications from Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, bacterial infections An ice pack should be applied immediately to the site of the bite to localize the venom, and the individual should then be taken immediately to a physician. If possible, take the spider with you for positive identification.


Most spiders are absolutely harmless to humans. In fact, of the 20,000 different species of spiders that inhabit the Americas, only 60 are capable of biting humans. Within that small group, only four are known to be dangerous to humans: brown recluse, black widow, hobo or aggressive house spider, and the yellow sac spider. Within this select group, only the brown recluse and the black widow spider have ever been associated with significant disease and very rare reports of death.

* Deaths from brown recluse spiders have been reported only in children younger than seven years. Brown recluse spiders are native to the Midwestern and Southeastern states. Documented populations of brown recluse spiders outside these areas are extremely rare. Fewer than 10 individual spiders have ever been collected outside of these native states. Most false sightings are due to confusion with one of the 13 other species found in the same family.

# Features: Brown recluse spiders are notable for their characteristic violin pattern on the back of the cephalothorax—the body part to which the legs attach. The violin pattern is seen with the base of the violin at the head of the spider and the neck of the violin pointing to the rear. These small nonhairy spiders are yellowish-tan to dark brown in color with darker legs. They measure with legs about 1 inch in length. The name of the genus, Loxosceles means six eyes. Most other spiders have 8 eyes. Yet this unique feature of the brown recluse is lost on the casual observer because the eyes are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

# Habits: These spiders are not aggressive and bite only when threatened, usually when pressed up against the victim's skin. They seek out dark, warm, dry environments such as attics, closets, porches, barns, basements, woodpiles, and old tires. Its small, haphazard web, found mostly in corners and crevices, is not used to capture prey. Most bites occur in the summer months.


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

* Victims may experience these symptoms:

o Severe pain at bite site after about four hours
o Severe itching
o Nausea
o Vomiting
o Fever
o Myalgias (muscle pain)

* Initially the bite site is mildly red and upon close inspection may reveal fang marks. Most commonly, the bite site will become firm and heal with little scaring over the next few days or weeks. Occasionally, the local reaction will be more severe with erythema and blistering, sometimes leading to a blue discoloration ultimately leading to a necrotic lesion and scaring.
o Blistering (common)
o Necrosis (death) of skin and subcutaneous fat (less common)
o Severe destructive necrotic lesions with deep wide borders (rare)


********When to Seek Medical Care********

If you think you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, then you should be seen by your doctor that day. If possible, bring the spider in question with you to your doctor's office. Identification of the spider is very helpful in making the correct diagnosis.

If you are unable to be seen by your doctor that day, you should seek care at your hospital's Emergency Department.

Answer 2

My dad got bit by a brown reculeuse last year -- he got bit it at work.. working outside and it was a little red and stung and didn't want to do anything but my brother is a doctor and made him go to the ER. They said if you get a spider bite and don't seek medical attention then you will be miserable and probably get infected. Even if it isn't a brown reculeuse.. make sure he goes to the ER tonight. Depending on where it is.. it can reach an organ or a certain body part. Within a certain amount of time it can do a lot to the inside of a body. Spider bites can be really serious. You need to show him all of these answers and take him to the ER no matter what he says/wants.
good luck!!

Answer 3

First of all, to be sure it was any kind of spider bite, look at the puncture marks. If there are two, side by side, then it was a spider. If it had been an insect, you'd only see one.
Second, the best way to know it was a brown recluse ( aka brown fiddler ) would be to check the spider's markings; a violin shaped marking on it's back ( hence the name ), but it's too late for that now; unless he remembers what it looked like. Additionally, the brown recluse tends to like living in your linens, and clothing piles. What was your husband doing when he was bitten? If you're still not sure, and he's having other symptoms, like nausea, and perhaps red streaks arond the bite area, then throw him in the car, and take him to the doctor.

Answer 4

GO TO HOSPITAL!!

Linky http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg367.html

Brown recluse Most frequently associated with bites of medical significance; venom is potentially harmful to humans. Recluse bites usually form a red circular area on the skin which sloughs off the skin leaving an open wound which is difficult to heal and may require several months before it is completely healed. Reactions vary in severity, depending on the sensitivity of the individual. Seek medical attention if such a bite occurs. This spider is quite non-aggressive and bites occur most frequently when it is injured or killed. This may happen when trapped in clothing or bedding. Bites often occur on the buttocks or legs. They typically produce local pain and itching which may take days or over a week to occur. Systemic (generalized internal) reactions usually are evident within 72 hours. The bite site may develop a discolored pustulate area that progresses to a necrotic area with an open wound the size of a quarter or larger. Systemic reactions may include rashes, fever, generalized itching, vomiting, diarrhea, shock or death. Surgical removal of the bite site has also been tried but is not generally advised. Nitroglycerin patches are also used.

Answer 5

The brown recluse is also called a fiddle back spider. My son was bitten by one and was quite ill for several days. A friend got bit on the inner thigh, was hospitalized and had to have skin grafts. The area of the bite "rots" away. I would advise you to have a doctor check it.

Answer 6

He really needs to go to a doctor. My friend got bit by a brown recluse and she didnt go to the doctor. Her leg turned black and when she finally went the doctor had to cut all the dead tissue out of her leg. It was very painful for her.

Answer 7

A b rown reclse spider which is very toxic the venom will eat away th skin, musles ,and nervs and case alot of damage if not take to doctores soon

Answer 8

Look up on the internet about brown recleuse spiders they should have pictures. Ask your husband if that is it? Than show him what it does to your skin if your don't get help it should show. Good luck

Answer 9

If he had been bitten by a brown recluse, he needs to see a doctor immediately, NO QUESTIONS JUST GO NOW. Mt brother's friend was bit by that damn spider and he lost his leg...GO NOW

Answer 10

If it was a brown recluse, you should get him to the hospital.