Brown Recluse Spider Bite

Please don't send any more photos of supposed spider bites. I can't tell you what may have bitten you, you should go to your doctor and get it properly diagnosed. Further more, this site is not here to promote the few bites that people get from spiders but to encourage people to understand spiders a bit better and how they are of benefit to us. This includes the fact that of the few people who suffer from spider bites, many of these aren't spider bites but from something else. Read this report on the brown recluse bite if you are interested in more information.

Here's some pages with photos of spider bites, including the progression of a supposed Brown Recluse Spider bite and one that the person would like identified, if anyone can help. Brown Recluse Spiders are also known as Fiddleback spiders or Violin Spiders and their bite has been believed to cause a very serious reaction.  However, recent theories tend to dispute the fact that most of these bites are from the brown recluse. According to Rick Vetter from the American Arachnological Society - "even if you have a recluse, bites from them are extremely rare, despite all the stories.  Many of the really graphic nasty wounds you see on the internet as recluse bites can also be other conditions like necrotizing bacteria and pyoderma gangrenosum.  Ninety percent of brown recluse bites are not medically significant, heal very nicely often without medical. intervention and treatment for most brown recluse bites is simple first aid (RICE therapy – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).  Many conditions are misdiagnosed as recluse bites when their cause is something else like infection, bad reaction to medication, diabetic ulcers, Lyme disease, or other underlying medical conditions." This is not to suggest that anyone should go around handling any spiders - brown recluse or otherwise - treat all spiders with caution and respect!!

About the Brown Recluse: The body of the brown recluse is light tan to dark brown in colour. It is about 1/2" to 1/4 " in size. The males are usually smaller than the females. With leg span included the Brown Recluse is about the size of a half dollar. The legs are long, thins and delicate. They have only six eyes. The most distinguishing mark is the violin like dark patch on their head with the skinny part of violin pointing toward the abdomen. They can be found in the south central states of the United States including Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Alabama, and Oklahoma. In the home the Brown Recluse seeks secluded areas: around the hot water heater, in closets, under beds and furniture. Around the home they can be found under the porch, in a woodpile, and in the garage. Their lifespan ranges from 2 to 10 years. Females lay eggs from May to August. It takes a month for the eggs to hatch. The spider can tolerate temps from near freezing to over 100 degrees F. (Photo  - R. Vetter ©)
Symptoms can be:
* Rarely any pain when bitten.
* Bite site becomes reddened surrounding a raised bump similar to a fire ant bite with a dark centre similar to a bulls eye.
* Flu-like symptoms (fever, nausea, chills, aches) .
* Painful ulceration develops.
* Skin and muscle tissue dies, leaving a deep, infected wound that enlarges, fails to heal or heals slowly. The wound site can be affected for a long time, even years. This is called Necrosis.
If you have been bitten:
* Wash the area with soap and water.
* Apply ice to reduce swelling and redness.
* Do Not Use Heat.
* Search for spider- take it with you to the doctor for identification.
* Call your doctor .
To Avoid being bitten:
* Shake clothing that has been on the floor or not been worn in a while.
* Wear long sleeves and gloves when moving boxes or working in storage
areas.
* Wash or check bed linens in beds that have not been slept in for a while.

Wolf Spider Bite
From Nikki: I'm suffering from a mild Wolf Spider bite right now on my left shoulder blade (that is how I ran into your site, as I was researching expected symptoms and thought I'd share the photo and the bite info). If it persists in getting more uncomfortable I'll see a physician. Bitten two days ago-saw the spider, accidentally rolled over on it while in bed. Somewhat large specimen of about 2 inches diameter. Bite became stingy (within a few hours, not immediately) almost burning sensation, with the sting radiating outward to the immediate surrounding areas (about 5 or so inches outward), mild swelling including the lymph node within my left arm pit causing some radiation into the front of my chest from the armpit area. It began itching today in addition to the stinging sensation (itching localized to actual bite area). Not severe but uncomfortable. Bite wound insignificant and difficult to detect. Area is dime sized red around bite site, but that's it and probably more so due to theitching/scratching effect.

Click below for some pages of supposed spider bites. One sent in anonymously, of a bite to the thumb and another sent in by Dale Losher of Illinois of a bite to his leg and the most recent one from Tracey in Georgia. I have provided these images as a public service and do not claim that the stories are true or correct.