The symptoms of a fiddleback, or brown recluse spider bite will vary depending on the amount of venom injected and the victim's sensitivity to it. Some are not affected at all by the bite, while others may show immediate or delayed symptoms as the fiddleback's venom kills the tissue at the bite site. If you suspect that you or another person has been bitten by a fiddleback spider, immediate medical attention often is required and treatment at home is not recommended.
Instructions
1. Examine the bite area and look for a small red mark that may or may not be blistered. Sometimes fiddleback bites cause a small mark with no other symptoms and often the bite isn't felt until pain develops up to eight hours later. However, in many cases the bite may become swollen or blistered with a dry, blue-gray or blue-white lesion that is sunken in the center with a ragged red patchiness surrounding it.
2. Contact a physician and seek immediate medical attention even if no other symptoms, such as nausea and pain, are present. Medical attention is required even if you aren't sure the bite is from a fiddleback spider or if symptoms seem to be minor.
3. Wash the bite site gently with soap and water and keep the bite clean until you are able to see your physician. Do not scratch or rub the area. Antihistamines may help with itching but will not stop the venom or improve the resulting damage to your tissue.
4. Avoid cutting the laceration to expel venom. This will not work and can cause the wound to become infected and prolong healing time. A physician can determine if surgical intervention is necessary.
5. Place an ice pack over the bite area and leave it for 10 minutes. Remove for 30 minutes and reapply for 10 minutes, repeating until you are able to get medical attention. This not only relieves any pain and swelling but slows the enzymes in the venom. Never apply heat to a fiddleback bite. Heat can make the enzymes in the venom more active and increase the spread of venom through your tissues.
6. Rest the muscles in the area of the bite to reduce heat production in that area. Elevate the bite site to reduce tissue swelling and gravitational spread of the venom.
7. Find the spider if possible, but avoid handling live spiders. Kill it if you can with an object rather than your hand or foot. Use gloves or a jar to carefully scoop it up and seal it in a container or plastic bag. This will help the physician make a positive identification. Even a dead or squashed spider is fine; the physician or emergency room will not want a live spider anyway.
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