Brown recluse spiders are sometimes called fiddleback or violin spiders because of the markings on their head and thorax. The spider has six eyes, arranged in pairs. The brown recluse spider is a native to the United States and found primarily in the central Midwestern states and southern states near the Gulf of Mexico, although they can migrate to anywhere in the country, usually transported by cargo of some kind. Knowing the markings on a brown recluse spider can help in case of a bite. Knowing the origin of the bite can help doctors treat the venom before it becomes lethal. People bit by a spider should be able to identify the culprit and interpret other signs and symptoms of a brown recluse bite.
Pick
The first signs of a spider bite typically feel like a pinprick on the skin. For some, the prick caused by the bite may be so inconsequential that they don't recognize the additional signs and symptoms that occur later. Many people will not have any other symptoms, while others can become very ill, report researchers at the Ohio State University Extension Center. Further side effects from the bite may be felt immediately or remain dormant for up to eight hours. While the little red spot made by bite clears up in a matter of days for most people, others experience a severe stinging pain at the site.
Nausea
For those who have a strong allergic reaction to the venom of the brown recluse spider, their bodies can go into shock. Systemic shutdown can occur that results in chills, vomiting and nausea. Restlessness and strong itching follows and the point of the bite becomes red and swollen. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences report that reactions vary due to the sensitivity of the person who was bitten and the amount of venom that was injected by the spider.
Lesion
If the bite continues to cause symptoms, the nature of the wound also changes. A white blister often forms on the bite, which becomes swollen and hot. The tissue around the bite becomes hardened and sensitive to the touch. The lesion caused by a brown recluse spider is bluish in color and irregularly shaped with ragged edges. The redness spreads to surrounding skin. Researchers often call the infected bite wound a red, white and blue signal. The lesion is usually about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. The lesion may take months to heal.
Necrosis
When the skin near the wound begins to turn purple, it means the cells are dying and necrosis is setting in. The skin eventually dies, leaving a gaping hole that is filled with scar tissue. While the necrosis typically remains isolated at the point of the bite, in rare cases it can travel through fatty tissue in a leg or thigh and be pulled down through the leg by gravity. Scratching the itchy sore also can spread the venom. Most cases of brown recluse bites heal within a few months. Extremely rare cases result in amputation of a limb or require extensive plastic surgery.
