HELP! I Think A Spider Bit Me....

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Damaramu
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HELP! I Think A Spider Bit Me....

Post by Damaramu »

Hello everyone!

I know I don't know most of you, but we've seen each other around. Anyway, I'll cut to the point:

I think a spider bit my forearm as I slept. Now, I don't think it was a brown recluse (I'm from Texas, btw), because the bite mark (I'm assuming that's what this is on my forearm) really doesn't look all that bad.

Basically, there's a small red inflamed area on my arm, with a very light red "circle" around the area. It's a little sensitive...like a freshly popped zit feels. It also feels a little warm to the touch.....kind of like the way a sunburn feels...but not as bad.

Now....should I be worried and get myself down to an emergency room to have it looked at? Or do I just apply some kind of ointment to it and ride it out?

This has been bugging me off and on all day today and a little advice from someone in the know would be greatly appreciated! :(
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Alferd Packer
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Post by Alferd Packer »

As I recall, Brown recluse bites can necrotize tissue.

That is bad.

Go to the hospital.
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Post by Anarchist Bunny »

Brown Reclueses are in Texas, my mom lost about a quater sized part of her leg from a BR bite, get it the fuck checked.
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Exonerate
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Post by Exonerate »

Well... Search for the symptoms of a brown recluse. If it fits, then go to the hospital. If not, apply some ointment and it should be ok. If your condition worsens, go to the hospital.

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Post by Wicked Pilot »

I say just get your doctor to take a look at it. It's probably nothing but just to be on the safe side you should get it checked out.
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Post by Damaramu »

Well, I've been reading up on brown recluse bite symptoms and so far, so good: my bite symptoms don't match up.

According to one site:
The bite produces a mild stinging, followed by local redness and intense pain within 8 hours. A fluid-filled blister forms at the site and then sloughs off to leave a deep, growing ulcer.
Local redness? Check
Intense Pain After 8 Hours? Negative. It's been about two days so far and at most, the result is very minor irritation.

I probably will run by the neighbor emergency room to have it looked at...I can be such a worrywart at times, I'm sure I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. 8)
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Post by Vertigo1 »

Same thing happened to me when I was up in Michigan. I had it checked out and the doc thought it was a brown recluse bite. Nothing ever came of it though. It went away on its own.
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Damaramu
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Post by Damaramu »

Well, I'm pretty sure it's just a regular spider bite now.

After 2-3 hours, a brown recluse bite should look like this:

Image

It's been almost 44 hours since I woke up an noticed the bite, and my arm looks nothing like that.


Thanks for all your advice guys!

IF by any chance my bite gets worse and I develop necrosis, I'll be sure to fill ya'll in! 8)
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Post by DPDarkPrimus »

It's a pretty bad sign if you get a potentially fatal condition, and go to a sci-fi message board for help.
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Post by Sea Skimmer »

DPDarkPrimus wrote:It's a pretty bad sign if you get a potentially fatal condition, and go to a sci-fi message board for help.
LOL, yeah that's pretty bad. But then if it had been most of a day there really is nothing to worry about, I dont think any spider venom is that delayed.
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Post by Cthulhu-chan »

I got bit by some spider in Egypt a couple years back. Didn't think anything of it until that evening, when I started to feel physically ill. The medic gave me some benadril, and it went away in a few days. Luckily I'm not one of the dubiously lucky few that go into anaphylactic shock, or I'd have been dead by the time it started to make me nauseous. At least, that's what the medic said...

The point being, if'n you ain't necrotizing by now, you'll likely be fine. If you have any benadril handy, pop a cap. It'll help with the swelling.
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