Brown recluse spiders are in the category of the most venomous and dangerous spiders in the United States. If not given proper treatment, a brown recluse spider bite could even result in death. There have been multiple stories nationwide about these nasty arachnids getting too close for comfort and causing life-altering injuries.
Two recent stories come from Kiara Boulton of West Memphis, AR and Tamara Owsley of Topeka, KS. Both of them endured spider bites that nearly took their lives away from them.
*Warning: Some images below might be considered gruesome to those who are squeamish and/or fear spiders.
Boulton was stepping out of the shower when she noticed a bump on her foot may have been that of a brown recluse bite. She went to the hospital and was prescribed medicine to help the bite, but it did not help. A few days later, Boulton started limping and her toe turned black. Her toe ultimately needed amputation, but the infection spread so quickly that they needed to remove her entire leg. She has undergone seven surgeries since then.
Owsley contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease, from walking straight into a brown recluse web and being bitten. She was playing hide and seek outside at the time. She initially ignored the swelling on her arm, but as it kept growing she knew she needed to do something. She was soon hospitalized for 41 days to treat the rapidly spreading infection. The infection attacks the skin underlying the muscles, nerves, fat, and blood tissues. Owsley says that since then, she’s had 15 surgeries and most of her arm has been cut away.
So, the question is, how can you prevent a nasty spider bite like this? According to Rick Vetter, a retired professor at the University of California, it’s difficult for most doctors to diagnose a spider bite and sometimes end up misdiagnosing. He says, “There is no way to test spider venom in part because the beads lodged under the skin are so minuscule, and doctors often diagnose based on ruling out other conditions and self-reports from patients.”
Additionally, Vetter says that conditions like fungal infections, diabetic ulcers, septic embolism, and even leukemia can be mistaken for spider bites. This leads to delayed treatment. He says that there’s really no one definitive way to determine a spider bite. If you see one biting in real-time or spot a dead spider nearby. Otherwise, listen to your own instincts and see a medical professional ASAP if you’re dealing with a red, tender bump that you are unsure about.
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ShaRon Eastep says
Don’t spiders leave puncture marks? If so, then that’s how you would know for sure is my guess. I’m beyond scared of spiders and am always always on the look out for them
Jean Floyd says
I was bitten by one over 20 years ago. The bite swelled and burst. I kept it clean with alcohol and it finally healed, but the fang marks remain.
Mark says
I was bitten by something 34 yrs ago after I moved into my new home. It was behind my knee in the bend. It was about the size of a nickle and hard as a rock. I never went to a doctor and it went away after about six months. Some people said it was a Scorpion, and I had never heard of a brown Recluse before. When it went away it left a pit where the hard lump was. It kind of bothered me for awhile after but then I eventually forgot all about it.
Donna McDaniel says
Before you put your shoes on…turn them upside down and smack the bottoms! Especially boots!!
Fisher says
hmm, never knew brown recluse had outdoor webs…always heard they seek dark inside locations…I was bitten behind my ear and on my leg sleeping on a mattress on the floor as I was ‘camping’ in my rehab project at the time. Because I was a recent chemo patient with lymphoma I was hospitalized and very sick for several days…
Christopher Yellen says
I worked for an exterminating company a number of years ago. I was called on to visit a family that wanted to have a regular pest control service to prevent a variety of pests. During the visit the wife showed me that she had been bitten by a brown recluse spider. The bruise on her side was near her waist. It was about the size of a baseball. There was a red area that surrounded it. It was difficult to look at. I wished her well and went on with my work but I never forgot it. Despite my profession, I jump when I see any spider.
Lorraine Chandler says
about 16 yrs ago a b/r went into the top of my foot. I went to ER and they cut it out without any numbing. They had to cut it right then because if it got too deep I would have died. I stuffed a pillow in my mouth. One yr later the head came out. I have a bad scar and my legs have turned black and my legs swell.