I am foolish.

[8leggedfriends]

I went into my dorm's laundry room earlier this night, and I saw a large spider. I was ecstatic that I had found a nice, large specimen. I scooped it up, and it resisted by running, but I scooped it up again and it jumped. I then examined it, and it was a Brown Recluse I believe. I am a little OCD, and I'm a little freaked that it may have bit me, as I see a little bump on my wrist, it never entered this area really, but it's a blur now. I think it may just be my mind, and I know I won't die, I just get really worried easy. The bump is most likely just a little zit kind of thing, but when, and what should I expect if it truly is a bite? What should I do now, in case it IS a bite? I doubt it is, but my little part of my head that does this is seriously bothering me about it, and I need something that will put it to rest by treating it. I don't have any medicine in my dorm, but I could get basic painkillers at the dormitory store, etc. Any form of help would indeed be appreciated.

 

[Sheri]

Just wash it with warm water and anti-bacterial soap - though as I am sure you know, if you were bitten you're going to be just fine.

If you're totally obsessing about it, see a doctor tomorrow who will likely prescribe you antibiotics (if anything at all) as a precautionary measure.

Deaths have only been recorded from those under 7 years of age, and if you were bitten, you would start to notice about 4 hours after the incident.

You could also take a magnifying glass and carefully examine the area - upon close inspection you may be able to see two fang marks.

Check this link out for more reassuring information.

 

[crashergs]

good luck

if you got bitten by a recluse, you will see rash and eventually your skin will form necrosis, which means the venom is disintigrating your skin, when left untreated during an exaggerated period of time, amputation one of your ligaments will need to be performed.

i would treat your OCD before playing with very poisonous/venomous creatures

 

[Arlius]

No pain = no bite. I've haven't heard of a report of a BR bite where they haven't felt it...?

 

[Sheri]

According to that link, the bite often goes unnoticed and the pain sets in later.

 

[Crotalus]

The red area around the bite grows larger and larger and later necrosis sets in. That takes a while after a bite and then the severe pain starts

 

[Venom]

Deaths have only been recorded from those under 7 years of age, and if you were bitten, you would start to notice about 4 hours after the incident.

There was a case least year or the year before of a man in his 60's dying from an L.reclusa bite. Fatality is rare, but it can happen in people of any age by killing hoards of red blood cells, thereby clogging and shutting down the kidneys. Of course, this is pretty rare, but it can happen.

Like Sheri and Crotalus said, recluse bites don't always cause immediate pain. Often people find out later that they've been bitten... In cases that do develop necrosis, the sore can begin to appear within hours, and then it will definitely hurt.

 

[Venom]

As for what to do, I'd keep an eye on it. If it gets ANY bigger, go to a doctor. He may have it lanced and drained to help remove some venom, if indeed you were bitten. And, um...next time look before you grab? Hope it turns out well for ya. Keep us posted.

 

[8leggedfriends]

Nothing happened! I'm just really dumb, I worry about stupid stuff. I forgot where I put my cell phone, and I started thinking worst case scenario and couldn't get it out of my head.

 

[kimski]

I can relate...

to the OCD. I have it BIG TIME! As for the Recluse and possible bite, I've been researching them because I think I've caught one... One of the websites said that nitroglycirin (sp?) is used to treat bites, although I don't know in what form or how dispensed. From what I've read [and I'm by no means an expert] I think you would know if you got bit.

Just keep an eye on it. The 'necrotic' response mentioned in the threads is a result of the spider's neurotoxin - basically it deadens the tissue - like they do to paralyze prey - hence all the horror stories you hear about Reculuse bites. If not treated, the tissue in the area actually begins to die and treatment to get the tissue cleaned out and healthy again can take a long time.

So - as I said, keep a watch. And, if it looks rashy or a lot 'different' (and you know what I mean) get some treatment. Mine was crawling through my bedroom window and about 1' - 2' ft. from my bed. Glad she didn't make it to my bed and I didn't plop down on her! Let me know how you're doing. Take care, Kim Ski