The fiddleback spider is more commonly known as the brown recluse spider. This spider's name stems from the presence of a violin-shaped mark along its upper back. Though the fiddleback spider is not normally aggressive, it will bite a human in self-defense if it feels threatened or becomes trapped, warn medical professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center. People who develop fiddleback spider bite symptoms should consult a physician for further evaluation and care.
Pain, Burning or Itching
Initially, a bite from a fiddleback spider can cause sensations of pain, burning or itching of the skin at the site of the bite. These symptoms can arise within the first several minutes after a person is bitten by a fiddleback spider, explain health professionals with the California Poison Control System. Pain, burning or itching sensations can be intense. In certain cases, these fiddleback spider bite symptoms may not arise until several hours or days after the initial bite, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Skin Lesion or Blister
Within the first six to 12 hours following a fiddleback spider bite, affected people can develop a small skin lesion at the bite site, explain professionals with the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department at Oklahoma State University. Initially, the skin lesion mimics the appearance of a small, pus-filled blister or pimple that raises out of the skin. The skin surrounding the venom injection site can darken in color to a blue or purple color. This darkened skin region may be surrounded by a small white circle within a larger red circle, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center, giving the skin lesion the appearance of a bull's eye.
During the two weeks following the bite, the blistered skin region can burst, forming an ulcer. This occurs because the spider venom is toxic and slowly kills off the skin cells at the bite site. The ulcerated skin lesion can grow to be several centimeters in diameter, depending upon a person's sensitivity to the fiddleback spider venom. Eventually, the dead skin cells will turn black, explain UMMC health experts. Within six to eight weeks following the initial bite, the ulcerated skin lesion begins to heal. Severe skin cell death may result in the appearance of a scar at the bite site.
Flu-like Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms can emerge when the fiddleback spider venom enters a person's bloodstream following a bite. These symptoms can include fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, explain health professionals with Ohio State University. These symptoms typically arise within a day or two after being bitten. Rarely, certain people develop kidney or liver damage due to large amounts of fiddleback spider venom in the body, according to Oklahoma State University. In such instances, complications from a fiddleback spider bite can be life-threatening.
References
- Ohio State University: Brown Recluse Spider
- California Poison Control System: Spider Bites - Brown Recluse Spider
- Oklahoma State University: Brown Recluse or Fiddleback Spider
- Texas Agricultural Extension Service: Spiders - Recluse Spiders
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Spider Bites - What are the symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite?
