The brown recluse is a spider commonly found in the woods, under leaves or piles of rocks. The brown recluse is poisonous, which means that it is a danger to people and animals. After a human is bitten, the wound site may become infected and the victim's condition changes in various stages. Three primary stages may occur in the initial 24 hours after a bite occurs.
Stinging and Redness
The initial symptom of a brown recluse spider bite is stinging at the wound site. This stinging is caused by the introduction of the spider's venom into the victim's bloodstream. This may last for a few moments or up to several hours but is generally mild, according to the MayoClinic.com. As the venom begins to spread, the wound site may become red and swollen. Some patients notice that the area becomes puffy or hardened. This redness may occur simultaneously with the sensation of stinging.
Pain
After approximately eight hours, stinging generally advances into pain. The pain can become increasingly more intense as time passes. This pain is caused by the absorption of the spider's venom by the muscle tissue.
Blister and Ulcer
Approximately 24 hours after the bite occurs, a blister will form at the wound site. Subsequently, the blister hardens and sloughs off. The wound is left as an enlarged ulcer. This ulcer is often reluctant to heal, and infection may develop in the wound if it's not treated properly.
