What's good for spider bites?

[AlienGirl]

This is on my leg. The redness is about an inch across each way, and there's a tiny brown spot in the middle. Brown Recluses don't live out here, so it can't be that. I noticed the bite as a red itchy spot after getting home from the movies yesterday. It's been hurting and the red patch is getting bigger. It's also swollen. I took Benadryl but that didn't help.

Anyone else here ever have a bite like this? If so, what helped it?

Tucker

[asthmaticeog]

1. Doctors are helpful with that.

I don't mean to seem flippant - seriously, please see a doctor. Mystery insect bites aren't something to fuck around with.

[AlienGirl]

3. If it gets worse I will

I'd rather not have to go to the doctor though.

Tucker

[sundog]

2. eek! i got one on my neck last week

:scared:

it was red for 2 days then went down & scarred... i don't have many allergies or reactions to things... i say if its still bugging you in a few days, have someone check it out :)

[XanaDUer]

4. Please see a doctor.

Seriously. The spreading erythema (redness) is not a good sign. SPiders are tough little buggers and somehow a brown recluse could have made its way near you, even if they are not natural to the area.

ALthough I understand they are fairly common.

[mike_c]

17. brown recluse bites are EXTREMELY uncommon...

...even in areas where they live, and it's even more uncommon to get them in places like that (on the leg). Most people bitten by recluses get them on their hands because they've reached into a hiding place or otherwise disturbed the spiders, which really are reclusive. Recluses don't generally roam around.

Lots of common house spiders do roam, and they tend to bite when they get into bedclothes or into clothing-- such bites are purely defensive and often they don't inject much (or any) venom. Some of the "normal" reaction is localized immune response to spider venom, and some is caused by infection. In the OVERWHELMING majority of cases, any necrosis or serious reaction is caused by the wound becoming septic. That's no laughing matter-- I had one on the back of my hand that went necrotic several years ago and it was terribly painful

[d_b]

5. *Cringes*

see a priest.

[mike_c]

6. 99 times out of 100, necrotic spider bites...

...are caused by infection, either from the spider's fangs or from microbes on your skin. That's what your's looks like-- a localized infection. You might want to ask a doctor about prescribing an antibiotic. That's usually the best treatment.

[AlienGirl]

7. Is it necrotic if it's just red, not black/brown?

[mike_c]

10. no-- that bite's not necrotic....

But it does look like a hot skin infection.

on edit-- I only mentioned necrosis because most necrotic bites start out looking like yours, and I get lots of calls about necrotic spider bites.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. To that end she could pick up some Betadine Ointment at a drugstore

It's about 10 bucks a tube..it's not cheap..put that on it and if it works, it will work quickly. Iodine is great because it is anti-biotic and anti-fungal

[AlienGirl]

9. Thanks! I've Neosporined it already

Betadine sounds like a good idea!

Tucker

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. Call and make sure they carry it first..not all pharmacies carry it

[mike_c]

13. I agree-- the only real reason to use a systemic antibiotic...

...rather than just a topical one is probably prophylactic, unless the infection spreads. A systemic might act more quickly, too.

[DS1]

12. Spiders are best for spider bites

Good luck

[oneighty]

14. Meat tenderizer

I knew that from long ago. A quick google confirms. But still a Doctor might be better. Buy hey one never knows, good luck.

180

[MichiganVote]

15. Alcohol for the infection, ice for swelling and topical treatment

of your choice for the itching. If not improved within 10-20 hours, call the Dr.

[warrior1]

16. Link to spider bites

they are to horrific to post, get thee to a doctor for precaution.

http://images.google.com/images?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial_s&q=spider+bites&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

[AlienGirl]

19. Those are all Brown Recluse bites

I live in an area that doesn't have brown recluses. We have black widows, but they don't live in theaters, and I don't have the systemic effects people get from black widow bites.

Tucker

[GirlinContempt]

18. Bactine works for me

But if it gets any worse call a Dr.

[Kraklen]

20. You're sure it's a spider bite?

Looks like it could be just a boil. I'd try rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for the infection, and a very hot washcloth press.

[AlienGirl]

21. There's no fluid inside it

It started suddenly with what looked and felt like a mosquito or fly bite.

Tucker

[Kraklen]

22. Yeah, but unless you saw the spider...

Every now and then I'll get a boil like that that remains solid, no fluid inside, for a couple of days. They don't get fluid and "poppable" for awhile. A hot washclothe tends to speed up the process.

[AlienGirl]

23. I'll try it, then!

What the heck is a boil anyway? :shrug: All I know about boils is that everythingsxen is afflicted with them...

Tucker

[Kraklen]

24. It's like a pimple from hell.

Big, slow, and when they pop you better be wearing protective eye wear.

I think it's just a boil. Prepare to be uncomfortable for a couple of days. You'll be fine.

[AlienGirl]

25. Update: it's cellulitis

It's bigger and more painful today, but I'm on antibiotics and it should be gone in a couple days. I'm going to go lie down for a while now, because I'm feeling icky. Thank you to everyone who replied with info! :hi:

Tucker

[Ladyhawk]

26. If you let a rattlesnake bite you there, you won't even feel it. :) n/t

[AlienGirl]

27. Well, I have no rattlesnake

But Gideon has been begging to let him practice his dermatology skills and debride the tissue...

Tucker

(P.S. How ya feeling?)

[roguevalley]

28. This is the best stuff ever: Gardener's Dream Cream by

Aroma Crystal Therapy, Ltd.

1-877-537-9211
www.aromacrystal.com

For spiders, since its hurting and getting bigger and you don't have dream cream with you, go see someone. My mom got stung by a wasp and this cream took it down immediately.