Brown recluse spider

• brown recluse spider venom

Where Found:

• brown recluse spider and related species

Symptoms:

• body as a whole
  • no immediate pain
  • pain developing within the first several hours after being bitten
  • pain becoming severe
  • general feeling of discomfort
  • formation of an ulcer in the area of the bite within the first 24 hours.
  • chills
  • sweating

• skin
  • reddish to purplish color to skin in area around bite
  • itching

• gastrointestinal
  • nausea and/or vomiting

Home Treatment:
There are no treatments to attempt at home.

Before Calling Poison Control:
Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the area(s) bitten
• the time bitten
• the identity of the spider, if possible

Call Poison Control:
The patient should be taken to the Emergency Room for treatment. The symptoms at the time of the bite may not appear to be very severe and may take a while to progress to a more severe state. Treatment is important to minimize the damage done from the bite. If possible, bring the spider to the emergency room for identification.

What to Expect:

• Treat the symptoms.

Prognosis:
Survival past 48 hours usually indicates that recovery will follow.
The ulceration may take up to 6 weeks to heal, with proper care.



Many arthropods are capable of carrying disease. This illustration shows some of the general characteristics of arthropods. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)