The brown recluse is an unassuming little spider with a potent venom that can cause serious illness to humans. Children, who often visit areas inhabited by the brown recluse, are at particular risk of a bite. The bite causes the skin and underlying flesh to die, forming a necrotic wound that can take weeks to heal and may leave significant scarring and may even present the risk of death in smaller children.
Spider Description
The brown recluse spider is about an inch long, with eight long legs and a distinctive violin-shaped marking on its back, giving it the alternative name "violin" or "fiddle-back" spider. The species is indigenous to the southern and central United States. The spider frequently hides in wait of prey in dark and secluded environments, often around homes and yards. Not terribly aggressive, the spider will bite, however, if threatened. Most bites occur when the spider is inadvertently pressed against the skin.
Risks
Children playing outdoors are more prone than adults to being bitten. Deaths attributed to the bite of a brown recluse are rare, although children are more at risk of dying from a brown recluse bite than adults. More frequently, the bite results in a deep and necrotic wound that takes a long time to completely heal, according to Ohio State University Extension.
Signs and Symptoms
The bite of the brown recluse can be so slight your child may not notice it. She may later complain of a stinging feeling later followed with intense pain. Within the first 24 hours, the bite site changes from a tiny white blister to a raised, ulcerated sore that is hard to the touch. The appearance is dry, with a bluish center surrounded by a white ring and irregular reddened edges. As the damage progresses, the wound may grow to between 1 and 6 inches in diameter. Dead tissue eventually sloughs off from the lesion, revealing underlying tissue.
Immediate First Aid
If you believe your child has been bitten by a brown recluse, contact your pediatrician immediately. If possible, capture the spider, carefully and securely, and bring it with you to your child's doctor. Clean the bite site with soap and water and apply an antibacterial spray and an ice pack to the bite to reduce circulation, swelling and pain. According to Mayoclinic.com, if the bite is on you child's arm or leg, elevate it and place a snug bandage around it above the bite to restrict, but not cut off, blood flow.
Medical Treatment
There is currently no antivenin available for brown recluse bites. If your child is over two years of age, she may be given a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, for pain. Ohio State University Extension states that some physicians opt to administer high doses of cortisone-like hormones to help reduce the risk of systemic reactions. Oral Dapsone, a treatment for leprosy, is used experimentally to reduce tissue damage. Ongoing surgeries may be necessary to remove dead tissue from the wound to promote healing.
