How to Treat a Brown Recluse Spider Bite
How to Treat a Brown Recluse Spider Bite
The brown recluse is not a spider that you encounter very often and it is even more rare to get bitten by one. This spider is true to its namesake….it is reclusive. Hiding away, humans and the brown recluse usually come into contact through a total accident. A brown recluse might have taken up residence in an old pair of shoes or a piece of clothing left on the floor and then bites when you go to put the clothes on. This is not common, but it certainly happens. The bad thing about brown recluse bites are that they are necrotic. The venom from this spider can eat away the tissue around the bite wound and cause all kinds of problems.
Here are some tips for what to do and how to treat a brown recluse spider bite if you are ever unlucky enough to get bitten:
The most important thing is to remain calm. Brown recluse spider bites are rarely a big deal. Many people recover without much to do at all. The problem is, you never really know how your bite site might react and you have to treat it as serous until you do. The first thing you want to do is contact your doctor and ask what they think. These types of spider bites are unique to the person in that certain individuals are more prone to complications. Ask your doctor and see what he thinks.
If your doctor is unavailable, take that trip to the emergency room. It might be no big deal but you are better off safe than sorry on this one folks. Right away, you want to clean and ice the bite area. Use regular soap and water and gently clean the bite area. Rinse it well and then apply ice for the trip to the doctor. This will reduce swelling and help with itching and pain. Also collect the spider for identification if you can do so safely. A tall, glass jar that is long enough to keep you far from the spider is best.
Collecting the spider allows the doctors to confirm that it was a recluse. Many spiders are very similar looking to the brown recluse and are harmless. This is the only way the doctor can be sure in the early stages if you are bitten by a recluse spider.
Generally speaking the doctor will apply cream and give you antibiotics to help prevent infection. He also may give you some basic pain relievers to help with any pain you are having. If you have a serious bite that develops complications, you can be hospitalized for extended periods of time or surgery. Generally, it takes the bite site several weeks (about 7 weeks) to heal up.
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I got the bite about 3 weeks ago. Didn’t feel it right away. Been treating it with hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic ointment. It grew to about 3 inches in diameter and very tender. Lots of bloody red skin and oozing. Now it’ down to 1 1/2 inches and still oozing just a little. Still using hydrogen peroxide and ointment. Try to leave it open to the air unless going out. Then I cover it with a GIANT bandaid. Probably got about another 2 weeks to go.
The best way to heal the bite is to put ice on it. Let me explain why. If you take an ice cube out of the freezer and place it on the kitchen counter, what will happen? It will slowly begin to melt. THIS is exactly what the brown recluse venom does. It begins to melt into your affected body part and expand. When you put ice, it will stop the swelling. Your nerves and capillaries will stop responding to the infection. Which kills the chemical reaction. If you are far along in the bite and have not treated it then you must use a sharp blade, sterilize it, then make a small incision or cut on the bite area and then use a vacuum to suck out the tiny amount of acid or clean with alcohol and garlic. Eat a garlic clove and also rub the bite with garlic. But the best way is to just ice it.