Throughout the years, spiders gain an undesirable reputation and it includes the brown recluse spider. Once an individual has an unidentified mark on his/her extremities after spending time outdoors, it might be a bite from a brown recluse spider.
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The bites from brown recluse spiders typically trigger pain, changes in the skin appearance as well as systemic reactions.
Close look on the signs and symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite
Pain
A bite from a brown recluse spider can trigger pain, but it does not manifest right away. It is important to note that a bite contain cytotoxic properties. This simply means that the venom introduced into the skin is highly toxic to the body cells.
The pain from a brown recluse spider bite can vary from minor to intense which develops within 2-8 hours. Swelling, redness and itchiness at the bite site can occur at the same time.
Skin symptoms
When it comes to a brown recluse spider bite, it often appears white or blanches in the surrounding area and develops a reddish ring bordering the blanched region. The bite site can appear bluish in color and sunken.
Some individuals end up with a radiating, pinpoint reddened rash. During 48-72 hours, a blister develops at the bite site which turns red and eventually bursts. Necrosis or tissue death can cause the skin to become ulcerated, slough off or turn blackened in appearance after 3-4 days. The necrotic wounds might necessitate skin grafting in the future if they are large in size or severe enough.
Systemic reactions
Even though a brown recluse spider bite will not trigger significant injury, it might occasionally trigger a systemic reaction. Remember that this complication develops within 48 hours after sustaining the bite which can lead to the destruction of the red blood cells or kidney damage.
The hematocrit level in the body can significantly drop as the venom destroys the red blood cells. Other possible symptoms that can manifest include weakness, fever, chills, abdominal cramping, muscle pain, diarrhea or vomiting.
When to seek medical care
Once an individual is suspected with a bite from a brown recluse spider or actually saw the spider bite, it is best to save the spider for identification purposes. If there is necrotic skin, it requires medical care.
There is a possibility of an infection such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), not a spider bite. If the individual believes that he/she has been bitten by a brown recluse spider with symptoms more than just a small, red area that rapidly fades, a doctor should be consulted.