Although shy and non-aggressive, the Brown Recluse has a painful and toxic bite. They do not have big fangs so the bite does not penetrate deep beneath the surface so it is the fangs but the toxicity of the venom that causes the biggest trouble. The neurotoxin counteracts cellular interaction of the nerve cells. Yet it is not the neurotoxin that is of the greatest concern of the bite victim but rather the necrotic properties found in the venom. The fast-acting neurotoxin can cause rapid tissue loss.
Because the Brown Recluse spider fangs are no thicker than a staple they are unable to bite through most clothing. Therefore most bites are on exposed areas of skin such as the feet and legs, hands, necks, and arms. The bite appears as two symmetrical marks about the size of pinheads. A small red ring will encompass the fang marks and the affected area will be painful to the touch. In the next 2-8 hours, a small pus-filled cyst will raise to the surface. If medical personnel has not intervened at this point, the pustule and venom will spread downward, discoloring the infection site from red, proceeding to white, and then blue. Once the tissue has turned blue, tissue damage is apparent. Quite rapidly, the venom works to burrow out a hole in the wound site and can reach down to the bone. Bodily symptoms increase as more time passes.
Common side effects of the Brown Recluses’ bite are:
§ Headache
§ A feeling of restlessness
§ Severe itching at the wound site
§ Nausea and vomiting
§ Fever
§ Muscle and joint pain
§ Rash
These side effects are most severe in children, the elderly, and those with weakened or compromised immune systems. It is important to seek medical attention in the event that one of these categories of victims receives a bite. Never attempt to treat these groups without the assistance of a medical professional. They are most likely to develop the most severe complications and die.
While the average person can heal from this injury without any long term side-effects, this is never a certain outcome. On occasion, depending on how the body reacts to the venom, secondary infections can arise, some causing permanent damage. These infections can be:
- Hemolysis, a condition when the red blood cells burst and internal bleeding begins
- Diminished platelet count
- Kidney damage
- Coma and death
There are several symptoms that the victim of a Brown Recluse Bite should be aware of. As previously stated, many individuals do not have a severe reaction to the neurotoxins in the venom, but a medical professional should always be consulted. The symptoms listed below are congruent with the Brown Recluse and should be noted by the medical professional who is caring for the victim:
- Burning and itching at the injection site
- Fever
- Alternating chills and sweating episodes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Joint pain
- Bloody urine and kidney failure
- Jaundice
- Haemolysis, a condition when the red blood cells burst and internal bleeding begins
If you are suffering from an infestation of spiders at your workplace or home then don’t ignore and call the Brisbane Spider Control team from a reputed pest control company. If you want to get rid of bed bugs then you should hire Local Pest Control Brisbane.
