The brown recluse spider, also called the violin or fiddle-back spider, has a potentially deadly bite. Unlike the familiar black widow spider, both the male and female brown recluse spiders are venomous. These are shy spiders that prefer to inhabit secluded and undisturbed areas, such as dark places, clothing, curtains, undisturbed nooks and crannies, and inside furniture.
Geography
The brown recluse is a native of the United States, originally located in the south-central portion of the country. Carried to other locations in shipping crates or boxes, the spider can now be found in many parts of the United States.
Effects
A brown recluse spider injects varying amounts of venom when it bites. The effects of the bite depend on the quantity of poison injected. Also, some people are more susceptible to the spider toxins than others. Some people may experience no scarring at all after a bite, while others may suffer with a deep wound that requires a long time to heal.
Time Frame
Bites tend to occur more frequently in the spring or summer. When bitten, some people experience an immediate reaction as the venom begins to destroy the tissues. Initially, the bite may leave a small red mark. For other victims, the bite may go unnoticed for up to eight hours, while others will feel a pin prick sensation or an immediate stinging followed by intense pain. It may take up to eight weeks for the bite area to heal, and full recovery can take months.
Identification
Proper medical treatment can be delayed due to misdiagnosis. Because the wound characteristics are shared by other conditions, physicians sometimes attribute them to other causes without evidence of the spider. A victim might experience itching, fever, chills, nausea, restlessness, vomiting or shock. Normally, a small white blister develops at the bite, surrounded by an inflamed area. The bite area can enlarge and redden, with the tissue hardening. The lesion is typically under 3 inches in diameter, dry, with a bluish gray or white irregular sunken patch that has ragged red edges.
Risk Factors
Brown recluse spider bites can be fatal to young children, the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems. For those experiencing an extreme reaction, the bite area can burst into a volcano-like lesion, where the festering tissue creates a hole in the flesh. Dead tissue will fall away, exposing more of the under tissue area. Death is extremely rare. Yet in severe cases there is destruction of red blood cells, low platelet count, capillary blood clots and an inability to form clots where needed, acute kidney failure, coma and then death.
The Facts
Victims of brown recluse spider bites typically encounter the spider when bathing (these spiders seek refuge in shower curtains), dressing (they like to hide in clothing stored in dark closets) or while sleeping (when rolling over on a spider that has been hiding in the mattress or bedding). There is no specific antidote for a brown recluse spider bite. If you know you've been bitten, it's best to remain calm, apply ice to the area, do not use compression or tourniquet treatments, avoid quick movements and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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