I noticed a little bump on my leg while in the shower about 10 weeks ago, thought it was some kinda bruise. It got red and swelled up and I went to a dermatologist and he said it might be a spider bite. Well, to make a long story short, several weeks and 3 different doctors and numerous anti-botics later, on Friday last week I had surgery on a brown recluse spider bite and have a hole about 3" by by 2" in my leg and don't know when I will be able to go back to work. Please, if you ever have any type of skin irritation that won't heal in a few days get to a hospital and get it checked out.
brown recluse spider
humeco
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One of my customers was bitten last summer. She had the same symtoms as you. After they figured out what it was she spent a week in the hospital and had hole the size of a silver dollar and about 1.5 inches deep after the surgery.
She is still alive but was out of commisson for about a month.
She is still alive but was out of commisson for about a month.
Checked out the lawn photos on your site and wondered if you are using the Scott's 5-Step program. Are oyu?Originally posted by KirbysLawn
Glad to hear you are doing better. Brown Recluse Spider bites cause tissue necrosis around the bite. The longer it goes untreated the worse it gets.
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We have them in our house too. 
We have the pest control guy out every couple of weeks in the warmer months. The Brown Recluse likes to hide out in attics, crawlspaces (any dark areas) but once it get hot outside...look out! They come out and you'll find them in the sinks and bathtubs...looking for water (and A/C), I guess. When we first moved in to this house we never saw them-but once the temperature hit about 95 degrees they were everywhere! Talk about paranoid! Upon going to bed, lift up you pillow, and see one sitting there...yikes! You learn quickly to 'shake' out your clothes before putting them on once you find one in your underwear drawer. Or pull a bowl out of the cabinet to eat some cereal...and there is one sitting in it! Found one in the dog food dish the other morning!
If you live in the south and don't think you have them just get some of those "sticky" insect traps, put then in the corners of your rooms, your closets, and up in the attic (and basement), and be prepared for a rude awakening. The reason you place the traps along baseboards, in corners, and in windowsills is because the like to follow edges...as their eyesight is poor. Must be those extra eyes or something......
Oh yeah, they are not as "reclusive" as you might think. I was watching TV on the couch one night, caught something out of the corner of my eye...and a big ol' BR was sitting one the arm of the couch...watching the History Channel with me. Lights, noise, movement...they are not the least bit fazed.
It's is not nearly as bad as when we first moved in because we had the entire house fogged and dusted in between the walls and up in the attic. We also had all the trees that were overhanging the house removed. Still, even with repeated and regular treatments we are using the traps...and still catching them. They are vey hardy...and hard to eliminate.
We have the pest control guy out every couple of weeks in the warmer months. The Brown Recluse likes to hide out in attics, crawlspaces (any dark areas) but once it get hot outside...look out! They come out and you'll find them in the sinks and bathtubs...looking for water (and A/C), I guess. When we first moved in to this house we never saw them-but once the temperature hit about 95 degrees they were everywhere! Talk about paranoid! Upon going to bed, lift up you pillow, and see one sitting there...yikes! You learn quickly to 'shake' out your clothes before putting them on once you find one in your underwear drawer. Or pull a bowl out of the cabinet to eat some cereal...and there is one sitting in it! Found one in the dog food dish the other morning!
If you live in the south and don't think you have them just get some of those "sticky" insect traps, put then in the corners of your rooms, your closets, and up in the attic (and basement), and be prepared for a rude awakening. The reason you place the traps along baseboards, in corners, and in windowsills is because the like to follow edges...as their eyesight is poor. Must be those extra eyes or something......
Oh yeah, they are not as "reclusive" as you might think. I was watching TV on the couch one night, caught something out of the corner of my eye...and a big ol' BR was sitting one the arm of the couch...watching the History Channel with me. Lights, noise, movement...they are not the least bit fazed.
It's is not nearly as bad as when we first moved in because we had the entire house fogged and dusted in between the walls and up in the attic. We also had all the trees that were overhanging the house removed. Still, even with repeated and regular treatments we are using the traps...and still catching them. They are vey hardy...and hard to eliminate.
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Before working in the lawn care field, I worked on an ambulance as an EMT for the state of Indiana. We were taught about spiders. There are two kinds to worry about in the US. Black widows and brown recluse.
BROWN RECLUSE:
Dull brown in color, smaller than black widow. Has a dark violin-shaped mark on it's back. Mostly found in the Southern and Central US, but moving to other areas of the US. They live in dark areas, corners, unused buildings, woodpiles, under rocks, etc. Bite area not painful at the time of the bite. There should be no vomiting, nausea, breathing difficulty, or other problems that are common with black widow bites. The bitten area will beome red, swollen, and tender. It will develop a pale, white/bluish center. A small blister may form. Then the ulser develops. Quick treatment from a doctor can keep the patient from developing the ulser.
BLACK WIDOW:
These are not large spiders, approx. 1 inch long with legs extended. It is a glossy black and has a bright red-orange marking in the shape of an hourglass on it's abdomen. They are found in every state except Alaska. They prefer dry, dim places around buildings, in woodpiles, and among debris. This type of bite is sometimes overlooked because the victim may not recall the bite because the area may become numb after the bite. Usually, though, there is pain at the area of the bite. The venom is poison to nerve tissue and attacks the spinal nerve centers. The symptoms are:severe cramps, tightness in the chest, breathing difficulty over the first 24 hours. Dizziness, sweating, vomiting, nausea, skin rashes also occur.
Death is not common. These bites are more dangerous to children or elderly.
This bite is very painful. If the site of the bite can be identified, apply ice to this area. Get the person to the Emergency Room as soon as possible.
If you kill the spider, it is useful to bring it to the Emergency Room with you. This goes for snakes, too, if you ever need snake bite treatment. Do not endanger yourself further by trying to catch it.
I hope this helps you guys. Sorry it's a long post, just thought you might be interested.
STAY SAFE!
BROWN RECLUSE:
Dull brown in color, smaller than black widow. Has a dark violin-shaped mark on it's back. Mostly found in the Southern and Central US, but moving to other areas of the US. They live in dark areas, corners, unused buildings, woodpiles, under rocks, etc. Bite area not painful at the time of the bite. There should be no vomiting, nausea, breathing difficulty, or other problems that are common with black widow bites. The bitten area will beome red, swollen, and tender. It will develop a pale, white/bluish center. A small blister may form. Then the ulser develops. Quick treatment from a doctor can keep the patient from developing the ulser.
BLACK WIDOW:
These are not large spiders, approx. 1 inch long with legs extended. It is a glossy black and has a bright red-orange marking in the shape of an hourglass on it's abdomen. They are found in every state except Alaska. They prefer dry, dim places around buildings, in woodpiles, and among debris. This type of bite is sometimes overlooked because the victim may not recall the bite because the area may become numb after the bite. Usually, though, there is pain at the area of the bite. The venom is poison to nerve tissue and attacks the spinal nerve centers. The symptoms are:severe cramps, tightness in the chest, breathing difficulty over the first 24 hours. Dizziness, sweating, vomiting, nausea, skin rashes also occur.
Death is not common. These bites are more dangerous to children or elderly.
This bite is very painful. If the site of the bite can be identified, apply ice to this area. Get the person to the Emergency Room as soon as possible.
If you kill the spider, it is useful to bring it to the Emergency Room with you. This goes for snakes, too, if you ever need snake bite treatment. Do not endanger yourself further by trying to catch it.
I hope this helps you guys. Sorry it's a long post, just thought you might be interested.
STAY SAFE!
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I must say that picture of the wound is a bit unsettling as I was (key word was) eating lunch when I looked at the picture.
Gravely_Man
Gravely_Man
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How could someone let it get that bad? I got bit 2 years ago, saw a doctor and got an anti-biotic. Healed in 1 week.
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Something must have bitten me in the last several days. I noticed a lump on my left bicep. It didn't hurt, it was just hard. Then it started to turn red and now there are two "zits" in the middle of it. It also may be from a cat that I got out of a tree the other day. I had a cat scratch a long time ago that made a lymph node in my neck swell up like a grapefruit.
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BR bites are so over diagnosed its almost to the point of an urban legend. Not to say anyone is lying, I dont think that at all. There have been many deaths and amputations caused by the BR and I they can be infested in areas. I read of a case where 144 BR's were found under 1 waterbed, made me check my own bed thats for sure. However, they get the sole blame for necrotic lesions when rarely ever is a spider even seen.
The link below illustrates where BR's are typically found.
http://dermatology.cdlib.org/DOJvol5num2/special/map.gif
The link below illustrates where BR's are typically found.
http://dermatology.cdlib.org/DOJvol5num2/special/map.gif
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I was bitten between my toes about 4 months ago by a BRS. Man, I have never in my life experienced a wound that responded to NOTHING!. Since being bitten I have done massive research on the BRS , and could probably get a degree in recluseology or something. There is NO antidote for the bite. Even the Black Widow has an antidote, but nooooooo, not the brown recluse. The bite was between mt left big toe and the next one. Never felt the bite, I guess (I go barefooted a lot, not anymore! )I think it was in a pair of old tennis shoes I keep in the back room for MY yard work.
It took two Dr.'s and three diagnosis, to conclude that the BRS did me in. After 4 months of soaking in salt water, cippro, polysporin, asprin....and cussing .......the Dr. is gonna put me in a hyperbaric chamber to flood me with oxygen. 9o mins. a time, for 20 sessions. It's a hole about 1in.wide and 1/2 in deep, and it dosen't seem to be improving. The Dr. has even mentioned amputation...good grief!!!!!
Well, just rambling now....but suffice it to say, the BRS is one bad SOB!!! The EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS!!!!!!LOL
It took two Dr.'s and three diagnosis, to conclude that the BRS did me in. After 4 months of soaking in salt water, cippro, polysporin, asprin....and cussing .......the Dr. is gonna put me in a hyperbaric chamber to flood me with oxygen. 9o mins. a time, for 20 sessions. It's a hole about 1in.wide and 1/2 in deep, and it dosen't seem to be improving. The Dr. has even mentioned amputation...good grief!!!!!
Well, just rambling now....but suffice it to say, the BRS is one bad SOB!!! The EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS!!!!!!LOL
southerngent:
If you want to take your BR bite cure a step further may I recommend contacting Vanderbilt University Hospital here in Nashville?
Vanderbilt is the nations leading facility for dealing with the dreaded BR bite. My next door neighbor was bitten last year and was able to identify the bite promptly. The local HCA hospital immediately referred him to Vanderbilt...saying that they were set up to deal with BR bites.
It seems that Vanderbilt has been studing the BR problem for many years and has a serum that is made from rabbit's blood (I kid you not). This makes sense as Vanderbilt is centrally located in the area in which BR's are most prevelant. I was told that rabbit's blood has a very high white (or red...can't remember which) cell count and is the stuff from which the serum is developed.
I asked my exterminator if he had heard about this and he said "yes"... that Vanderbilt had developed the serum as an innoculation which was supposed to be marketed to pest control people as an antibody. He told me that he had received it as a 'test subject' and has been bitten twice...with no ill effects besides a bit of swelling, redness, and discomfort. He said it was gone in a couple of days. He said that the serum has not been marketed pending FDA approval...and that Vandy is weighing the costs of approval vs. the projected profit of potential sales of the antibody.
My neighbor, who had received the serum for his bite, was fine in 2 or 3 days.
I hope this helps. A trip to Nashville sure sounds alot better than losing a toe or two. Besides...you might run into one of these hot country music babes while your here!
Tony,
I'm no doctor...and I'm not diagnosing....but that is what my neighbors bite looked like one day after he was bitten. Ony difference was he had 1 'zit' on the mound instead of two. I hope it's not the BR...and you get it solved-fixed quickly.
If you want to take your BR bite cure a step further may I recommend contacting Vanderbilt University Hospital here in Nashville?
Vanderbilt is the nations leading facility for dealing with the dreaded BR bite. My next door neighbor was bitten last year and was able to identify the bite promptly. The local HCA hospital immediately referred him to Vanderbilt...saying that they were set up to deal with BR bites.
It seems that Vanderbilt has been studing the BR problem for many years and has a serum that is made from rabbit's blood (I kid you not). This makes sense as Vanderbilt is centrally located in the area in which BR's are most prevelant. I was told that rabbit's blood has a very high white (or red...can't remember which) cell count and is the stuff from which the serum is developed.
I asked my exterminator if he had heard about this and he said "yes"... that Vanderbilt had developed the serum as an innoculation which was supposed to be marketed to pest control people as an antibody. He told me that he had received it as a 'test subject' and has been bitten twice...with no ill effects besides a bit of swelling, redness, and discomfort. He said it was gone in a couple of days. He said that the serum has not been marketed pending FDA approval...and that Vandy is weighing the costs of approval vs. the projected profit of potential sales of the antibody.
My neighbor, who had received the serum for his bite, was fine in 2 or 3 days.
I hope this helps. A trip to Nashville sure sounds alot better than losing a toe or two. Besides...you might run into one of these hot country music babes while your here!
Tony,
I'm no doctor...and I'm not diagnosing....but that is what my neighbors bite looked like one day after he was bitten. Ony difference was he had 1 'zit' on the mound instead of two. I hope it's not the BR...and you get it solved-fixed quickly.
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SLS...oh man....thank you ever so much!!!! The first thing in the morning, I'm going to try and get in touch with them. You're absolutly right, I don't wanna lose anymore of me (hair is getting bad, lol ) than I already have.This has been going on to long , and I'm about ready to try anything!!!
Again, thank you very much!!!
This lawnsite.com has the nicest and most helpful people!!!.....and most humble
Again, thank you very much!!!
This lawnsite.com has the nicest and most helpful people!!!.....and most humble
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Tony...I really hate to say it...but that looks all the BRS bites I've seen....I really can't see mine without a mirror..it's on the bottom inside of my big toe. I went to a web site and a DR. is texas is reccommending nitro-glycerin patches , cut to fit the ares. I told my doc, and he wrote a prescription for me. Apparrently the best results happen if the patches are applied before an ulcer appears. It';s supposed to open up the arteries that have shut down due to the poison in the bite.
Good luck....and GO SEE A DR. ........NOW!!!!
Good luck....and GO SEE A DR. ........NOW!!!!
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SLS...I ment to ask earlier but forgot...you wouldn't happen to have a phone number to the hospital wouldja?
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I think mine is from the cat. It's actually getting smaller and the "zit" heads are more pronounced. I had forgotten about the cat when I first started the post. Spiders give me the willies and I've been an exterminator for years. I'd rather face a cornered norway rat than think there was a spider in my bedroom. Tuesday night I felt something on the back of my neck while in bed. I jumped up, threw the covers off and switched the light on all in one motion. I was up for 2 hours doing a search on "deep root feeding" after that. I'm an expert at killing spiders and the black widow, I consider my specialty. I found some in a strange location back in 1995 and studied them more than any other pest I've dealt with. That's why they give me the willies. I know they can go just about anywhere. Thorough perimeter service with pesticides is a good start, but not enough. Hatchlings float on spun silk through the air and can land on a second story eave to make their way into a structure. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
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Hey what about all the spiders we swallow when were sleeping I thought i saw a studied that said on average we swallow like 7 spiders a year. 
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Brrrrr! Yuck! *shiver* yes! Spiders give me the willies as well! The only creature God made that I truly cant stand. Just something about them that freaks me out. Yuck.
I had a friend get nailed by a Brown Recluse, it was a woman, and she didnt notice it for a long time. It bit her on her right buttock, where she couldnt really see anything. Well, to make a long story short, one day about 6 weeks later, she sat down really hard, and a 5 inch diameter ball of dead skin and muscle rolled out of her leg. There is a monsterous hole in her leg now. No amount of surgery can fix it. It goes deep, she says you can poke your finger in there and feel the bone through a couple layers of skin and muscle.
Same thing with Coral snakes, I hate those things. Since they are pretty, a little girl in my church picked on up and got bit, fortuneately a boy of about 11 years old in my church also saw what happened, and being a responsible youth, he quickly picked the girl up and brought her inside, and she was in the ICU at the nearest hospital within 15 minutes of the bite. She lived.
Ack! Now look what yall have done! Talking about spiders has gotten me all jumpy! My skin is crawling! I am going to turn some lights on in this computer room.....spiders......
I had a friend get nailed by a Brown Recluse, it was a woman, and she didnt notice it for a long time. It bit her on her right buttock, where she couldnt really see anything. Well, to make a long story short, one day about 6 weeks later, she sat down really hard, and a 5 inch diameter ball of dead skin and muscle rolled out of her leg. There is a monsterous hole in her leg now. No amount of surgery can fix it. It goes deep, she says you can poke your finger in there and feel the bone through a couple layers of skin and muscle.
Same thing with Coral snakes, I hate those things. Since they are pretty, a little girl in my church picked on up and got bit, fortuneately a boy of about 11 years old in my church also saw what happened, and being a responsible youth, he quickly picked the girl up and brought her inside, and she was in the ICU at the nearest hospital within 15 minutes of the bite. She lived.
Ack! Now look what yall have done! Talking about spiders has gotten me all jumpy! My skin is crawling! I am going to turn some lights on in this computer room.....spiders......
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