Brown Recluse Spider Bites
Contrary to people’s belief, spiders are generally harmless to humans. There are 20,000 recorded species of spiders in America; only 60 of these are the aggressive biting ones. And of the 60 species, only 4 are considered dangerous to human beings. These are the yellow sac spider, black widow, hobo or aggressive house spider, and the brown recluse spider. Among the above mentioned group, the black widow and the brown recluse spider have been known to inflict serious health problems and even death in very rare cases.
The brown recluse is associated with the group of spiders that is formally known as the “recluse spiders” belonging to the genus Loxosceles. Due to their features, these spiders are also called as “fiddleback” spiders or “violin” spiders because of the presence of violin-shaped spotting on the top shell of the cephalothorax (this is a fusion of the head and the thorax). However, these marking may vary in its color contrast depending on the recluse spider species, especially those in southwestern U.S.
In the older brown recluse and some other known species of the recluse spiders, the violin marking may be well defined as the neck of the violin positioning towards the rounded abdomen. The abdomen is generally covered with several fine hairs thus explaining its velvety appearance, uniformly colored although the contrast may range from light tan to dark brown. Also covered with fine hairs are their long, thin, and brown legs. Both the male and female species of the recluse spiders are considered venomous. What is more unique with this spider is that they have only six eyes (as compared to normal spiders with eight eyes) that are grouped in pairs forming a semicircle on the front of the cephalothorax. It is through examining the spider’s genitalia under a high-power microscope that one can determine the exact species belonging to the Loxosceles.
These spiders bite only when threatened and are not considered aggressive. Bites usually happen when the spider is pressed up against the human’s skin. They usually dwell in warm, dark, and dry environments such as old tires, attics, porches, woodpiles, closets, barns, and basements. The web is usually small and haphazard and is usually located in crevices and corners. Ironically these webs are not used to capture prey. Bites have been known to occur during the summer months. Brown recluse spiders typically live in great numbers.
Children younger than 7 years old, are the common victims of deaths from brown recluse spider bites. Brown recluse spiders are residents of the Southeastern and Midwestern states. Recorded populations of brown recluse spiders not living in these areas are rare. There are less than 10 individual spiders that have ever been discovered outside these states.
Signs and Symptoms
The individual’s sensitivity and amount of the venom injected by the brown recluse bite are what determines the resulting signs and symptoms of a victim. While others may not be very well affected by the bite, others may experience delayed or immediate effects as the venom destroys the skin tissues, also known as necrosis. Usually the brown recluse bites only cause a little red spot that heals by itself overtime. Fortunately, brown recluse spider bites usually heals without resulting to severe scarring.
Primarily, the bite may have a go unnoticed or pinprick feel. Often, victims do not even realize the bite within 2 to 8 hours. Others may feel the pain or stinging sensation with increasing severity. Sometimes, victims may have general systemic reactions which may include vomiting, restlessness, fever, nausea, generalized itching, chills, or shock. Blistering may occasionally develop at the site of the bite surrounded by swollen areas. The bitten area becomes red and enlarges; the tissue may be hard to touch. The term “red, white, and blue sign” is attributed to the dry, blue-gray or blue white lesion from a brown recluse spider bite with may have irregular sinking patch with tattered edges and skin redness. The size of the lesion may range from 1½ inches by 2¾.
The brown recluse spider bite can lead to a deep and painful wound which takes a longer period to heal. Although fatalities from it are very rare, these bites are dangerous to younger children, the elderly, and those with existing medical conditions. If severe reactions result from a bite, the area can fused out into a “volcano lesion”. The physician may find it hard to accurately diagnose a brown recluse bite with the wound characteristics as its only basis. The spider must be positively identified. Necrotic wounds may cause from a variety of factors such as arthropods, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Necrotic conditions can come from a number of agents including underlying disease states, vascular and lymphatic disorders, or drug reactions.
Diagnosis
From the very start, the doctor will have to make the correct diagnosis. It would be helpful if you can present the spider that has caused the problem. The problem usually arises from the victim not knowing that they have been bitten before developing the resulting symptoms.
The doctor will inquire about the bite incident, period interval since the bite, other medical conditions, medications taken, and possible or existing allergies.
Laboratory procedures will be conducted including urinalysis, complete blood count, blood clotting examination, electrolytes, and kidney function studies.
No particular laboratory results can verify a brown recluse bite. Therefore, accuracy in diagnosis can occur only after a thorough examination and history of the bite and the possibilities of its existence in the part of the country where the victim resides.
Suspected bites occurring outside the usual territorial range of the brown recluse spider are mostly unlikely, especially with the surveys that tell us the recluses are rarely existent in non-native areas. But just like any other bites, positive identification from the culprit spider is entirely necessary for the diagnosis. If the premises of the alleged bite do not signify symptoms coming from brown recluse spiders, then these presumptive bites are more unlikely.
Treatment
Home First Aid Treatment
These are the following techniques that you may do right after a bite:
Apply cold compress or ice to minimize the selling and the pain.
If possible, elevate the bitten area over the heart level of your body.
Thoroughly wash the area with mild soap and cool water.
As much as possible do away with any strenuous activities that may lead to the spreading of the spider’s venom in your skin.
Apply naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn), ibuprofen (Advil), or other anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief.
After preliminary evaluation, your doctor may prescribe treatments such as antihistamines (diphenydramine), pain medications, tetanus immunization, and antibiotics.
As of the present time there is no known available in United States, antivenom to counteract poisonous brown recluse spiders. Controversial remedies include drug dapsone and steroids. These are often administered for victims with severe systemic conditions (such as certain types of kidney failure, anemia, and blood clotting problems). Unfortunately, these remedies have been proven to have little benefit.
Since most wounds would require medical check up for at least 3-4 days, frequent visits to your doctor might be needed. The presence of necrotic lesions will all the more need extensive medical attention. These lesions may be removed by the doctor to prevent any secondary bacterial infections.