In the United States, many of the spiders you encounter are harmless, but the brown hermit spider, also called the brown recluse or violin spider, is an exception. This arachnid has a fitting name, because it behaves just like a hermit. It is nocturnal and likes to hide in dark places where it is not disturbed, for example under verandas, in wardrobes or in piles of wood. It is important to recognize these spiders and their venomous bites, which can cause more severe symptoms than other species. In some cases, the bites can even be fatal, especially for children.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identifying a Hermit Spider Bite
Step 1. Find the spider that bit you if possible
If you can, try to trap him to see if he's a hermit spider. You can also try to remember what it looks like. These spiders are completely brown, with their legs attached to the front of the body.
- It is not necessary to catch the spider. Taking a picture of him may be enough to help doctors identify and treat you.
- This spider gets its nickname, "violin", from a unique violin-shaped spot on the back of the front of the body. The back has no identification marks.
- Violin spiders have three pairs of eyes along the violin-shaped patch, in contrast to the two rows of four eyes of most other spiders.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of a hermit spider bite
When you are bitten, you may feel nothing. However, after a few hours, you may feel a slight burning or irritation in the wound area. You may also have the following symptoms:
- Noticeable swelling and severe pain in the bite area.
- A blue blister in the center surrounded by redness, similar to a target. The bladder may burst and the area may grow larger in an ulcer that extends to deep tissue.
- A pimple-like lesion with yellow or green pus.
- A rash around the itchy bite.
- The urine can become darker.
- You can also develop fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, seizures, or joint pain.
- As with other spider bites, those of the brown hermit also leave a small red mark. Their unique feature is that they develop a small white blister shortly after the bite and cause the tissues around the wound to harden. Later the bite becomes a blue-gray or blue-white lesion, with irregular edges surrounded by a red area. If left untreated, the skin in that area can gangrene and develop a large open wound.
Step 3. Learn where these spiders are most often found
Violin spiders love dark, sheltered places, such as spaces under porches or sinks, piles of wood, cellars and closets. Consider if you were near such a place when you were bitten.
The recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) can be found throughout the United States, but the states where it is most common are Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama; much of Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee and Kentucky; the southern areas of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana; northern Georgia and eastern Texas. In Italy there is a species similar to the brown hermit, Loxosceles rufescens, commonly called the violin spider
Part 2 of 2: Treating a Hermit Spider Bite
Step 1. Try to see the doctor the same day you are bitten
If possible, take the spider that bit you with you. Identifying it allows the doctor to make a correct diagnosis.
You can treat yourself at home once bitten. However, you should try to get to the doctor as soon as possible, as the bite can be severe or even fatal
Step 2. Clean the injured area with soap and rinse it with water
Dip a soft cloth in room temperature water with mild soap. Clean the bite area with small circular motions.
Step 3. Reduce swelling by placing a cold compress on the bite
Wrap a clean cloth or towel around the ice. If you wish, you can also put it in a plastic bag inside the cloth.
- Put the tablet over the bite for 10 minutes, then don't apply it for another ten minutes. Repeat this at 10 minute intervals.
- If the victim has circulation problems, keep the tablet on the bite for less time.
Step 4. Elevate the bitten area
This slows the spread of the poison from the wound to the rest of the body and limits swelling.
Wrap a compression bandage over the bite to reduce pain and swelling. If you don't have such a bandage, you can slow the spread of the venom by tying a piece of cloth over the bite. Raise the injured arm, hand, leg, or foot above the heart with pillows. Make sure the bandage is tight, but doesn't block blood circulation
Step 5. Do not apply heat to the area
This only accelerates the destruction of the tissues around the bite, increases swelling and pain. You should never attempt to remove venom with a suction device or to remove affected tissues.
Do not apply steroid creams on the bite, such as those with cortisone
Step 6. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
Paracetamol, ibuprofen and naproxen help reduce swelling and pain.
You can also take an antihistamine to relieve irritation in the bite area
Step 7. Ask your doctor about medical treatments for the bite
During your visit, or when you are in the emergency room, confirm that the bite is from a hermit spider and let the doctor treat you. After the preliminary diagnosis, he can prescribe the following treatments:
- The tetanus drug.
- Antibiotics, if the wound shows signs of infection.
- Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, to limit itching.
- Pain relievers.
Step 8. Go back to the doctor after three to four days
Schedule a follow-up visit to confirm that there are no infections or complications from the bite. It is important to verify your recovery so that the bite does not get worse and does not become infected.
If the tissues around the bite are damaged, ask your doctor if they need to be removed with surgery
Advice
- Violin spiders usually bite when squeezed between your skin and another object. To prevent bites, keep the bed away from the walls and the blankets away from the floor. Shake your shoes, skates, garden gloves, and baseball gloves before putting them on to avoid bites.
- If you are going to an area where these spiders are very common, be sure to wear long-sleeved shirts with well-fitting cuffs. Also, wear long pants that you can tuck into your socks.
