Brown Recluse Spider Bite

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A brown recluse spider bite is a small wound that you get from being bitten by a brown recluse spider, also called a fiddle back spider. They live in the central and southern parts of the United States and are active from April to October. You may be bitten while asleep and have no signs or symptoms at first. Later you may get pain, swelling, redness, and itchiness in the area of the bite. If the bite gets worse, you may have discharge from it or tissue death and loss in the bite area. Your caregiver may do blood tests and tests on the bite wound. Your wound may worsen and you may get medicines, such as antibiotics, steroids, anti-allergies, or anti-venom. You may need surgery to remove the damaged tissues in the wound. Early diagnosis and treatment may help prevent your wound from getting worse or you becoming more sick. Knowing what these spider look like and where they hide may help keep you from being bitten.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your primary healthcare provider. Do not stop taking your medicine unless directed by your primary healthcare provider. Never save antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
  
  
• NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine may decrease swelling and pain or fever. This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may need medicine to take away or decrease pain.
  
  
  • Learn how to take your medicine. Ask what medicine and how much you should take. Be sure you know how, when, and how often to take it.
    
    
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Rest:

You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed. When sitting or lying down, raise your wound above the level of your heart. This helps decrease swelling. You may put pillows under your wound when lying in bed.

Preventing a brown recluse spider bite:

Find out if you live in an area where there are brown recluse spiders. Learn what these spiders look like and where they like to hide. Teach your family to avoid these spiders. A brown recluse spider bite may be prevented by doing the following:

• Cleaning closets, sheds, and attics completely. Remove woodpiles and other trash from outside areas, especially piles of things where spiders can live. Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts, pants, and shoes when you do work near wood or garbage piles.
  
  
• Making noises when entering attics or other spaces where spiders may live. Noise may scare them away.
  
  
• Shaking out clothes or shoes that are lying on the floor before putting them on. Check under your bed sheets before getting in bed. Clothing that has been stored should be aired out and carefully searched for spiders before it is worn.
  
  
• Using caution in removing a web or spider when you see one.
  
  
• Being attentive to your surroundings when traveling in areas where these spiders are common.

Wound care:

• Clean your wound with mild soap and water, and pat dry with a clean towel. Do this as often as ordered by your caregiver. If you cannot reach the wound, have someone help you.
  
  
• Carefully check the wound and the area around it. Watch for more swelling and redness around the wound, or fluid oozing out of it. If there is bleeding, you may apply gentle pressure.
  
  
• Cover your wound with a layer of sterile (clean) gauze bandage or other dressing as ordered by your caregiver. If the bandage is wrapped around your arm or leg, wrap it snugly but not too tight. It is too tight if you feel tingling or lose feeling in that area. Keep the bandage clean and dry.
  
  
• Wash your hands before and after taking care of a wound to prevent having or spreading an infection.

For more information:

Contact any of the following:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  1600 Clifton Road
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 404 - 6393311
  Phone: 1- 800 - 3113435
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a skin rash, itching, or swelling after taking your medicine.
  
  
• You have increased redness, numbness, or swelling in the bitten area.
  
  
• You have pain or problems moving the injured part or get tender lumps in the groin or armpits.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your injury, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have a headache, or nausea (upset stomach) and vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You have numbness or tingling in the area of the bite.
  
  
• You have trouble talking, walking, or breathing.
  
  
• You start passing dark urine or less urine than is usual for you.
  
  
• Your wound does not stop bleeding even after applying pressure.
  
  
• Your wound or bandage has pus or a bad smell even if you are cleaning it everyday.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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