The brown recluse spider bite can be one of the most invasive and destructive venomous bites in the United States. The brown recluse is not especially aggressive, but it will bite if it is cornered or perceives a threat. Most brown recluse spider bites happen when people dig into storage or retrieve items that have been left alone for a long time. The brown recluse has a habit of hiding in old shoes, clothing, and boxes. As such, people are bitten by brown recluse spiders. For this reason, it is important to know how to treat a brown recluse spider bite, and more importantly, what not to do when the brown recluse bites. Here are the dos and don’ts of brown recluse spider bites:
Pictures of Brown Recluse Spider Bites
What you should do when a brown recluse spider bites you:
1. Do go to the emergency room or doctor. Brown recluse spider bites are serious because the venom is necrotic. That is, it eats away at and kills tissue under the skin. These bites can lead to serious complications up to and including amputation. Worst case scenarios may even include death.
2. Do apply ice to a brown recluse spider bite. This will help with swelling and pain, and should be done on the way to the doctor.
3. Do wash the bite site with soap and cool water. This will help the brown recluse spider bite site resist infection.
4. Do elevate the limb above the heart. Venom travels through the blood stream, and you want to keep the bite site above your heart.
5. Do take acetamenophene for any pain you experience from the brown recluse spider bite.
6. Do remain calm after being bitten by a brown recluse spider. The venom travels faster if you are excited or active.
What you should not do if bitten by a brown recluse spider:
1. Do not risk retrieving the spider unless you can safely do so. You do not want to risk another bite. Try to identify the brown recluse. You can read about brown recluse spider identification here.
2. Do not ever add heat to the bite site. Heat will cause the tissue to break down quicker with a brown recluse spider bite.
3. Do not suck, cut, or attempt to remove the venom from a brown recluse spider bite. This can cause further damage as well as an added risk of spreading the venom.
4. Do not medicate the brown recluse bite site with creams, or medicines of any kind. Some of these can cause major problems with a brown recluse spider bite.
When you arrive at the doctors, you may receive any number of treatments for your brown recluse spider bite. These can include tetanus shots, allergy meds, pain medications, and even antibiotics. These depend on the site, as well as your reaction to the brown recluse spider bite.
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