Spiders!

I was bitten by a Brown Recluse spider 1.5 weeks ago.  Yes you read that right.  Guess what! I am still here and will be taking this opportunity to dispel some common myths I've heard about this nasty little creature.

1. Brown Recluse spiders are deadly.

Generally no.  There are exceptions.

2. Brown Recluse spiders are really poisonous aren't they? 

Yes and no.  For most people the bite will little more than a painful inconvenience.  There are reported cases of death from Brown Recluse spider bites but these have most commonly been due to an infection (keep the wound clean!) or the bite happening to the very young or old.

3. Brown Recluse spiders cause you to rot like a leper.

Not quite.  Their venom is quite strong and causes localized necrosis but your not going to fall apart.  In my case there was some pain full swelling and then later an open ulcer. The initial swelling was rather bad about four inches across burning and pain full.  This progressed to further deterioration of the tissue (necrosis, tissue dies) in what is now a shallow hole about the size of a quarter and has scabbed over.  This is a good thing as it means my blood platelets are working again, something the venom stops in the beginning preventing you from healing.

4. You can get anti venom from your doctor if you catch the bite quickly enough.

No you cant.  There is nothing your doctor can do except treat the symptoms of the bite.  Of course if you don't know what it is or your symptoms are sever see your doctor right away but for me and like many others you just need to keep it clean and let it heal naturally.  The biggest dangers come from the amount of venom and and possible infection in the area of the bite.  Keep it clean and if the tissue deterioration continues to extreme levels (i.e. your not healing and the hole is getting bigger) get some help dummy.

I would say keep an eye out for these nasty buggers but you probably wont see it even if it does bite you.  The inital bite is painless.   Mine got me while sleeping, I assume I was hogging the blanket and pissed it off.

Check those sheets and good luck.

Comments

[Darrin Eden]

Gah! I'm glad you survived it. It sounds horrid, but certainly preferable to Death!