Brown recluse spider bite

The diagnosis of cutaneous anthrax, likewise, is initially difficult. A history of skin contact with anthrax spores or potentially anthrax-contaminated animal products is helpful. In early stages, the skin lesion is very nonspecific, hut the later presence of a painless black eschar accompanied hy severe localized edema is essentially pathognomonic for the diagnosis. Other causes of painful lymphadenopathy such as staph, strep, plague, and tularemia may mimic cutaneous anthrax. Cutaneous anthrax lesions can also resemble the necrotic ulcerated lesions due to brown recluse spider bite. 

There are some brown spiders that somewhat resemble the Brown Recluse to the layperson. Without proper identification by an entomologist, it is often not possible to immediately diagnose a Brown Recluse spider bite. Complicating the diagnosis further is the fact that there are several other species of spider (e.g., Chiracantheum species, Argiope species, and Phidippus species) that can cause a necrotic skin lesion, without systemic complications. 

These potentially severe reactions are extremely rare and the vast majority of Brown Recluse spider bites have a relatively benign progression of local symptoms and resolve with supportive care. It should be pointed out that symptoms of localized infection following a bite of any insect or spider may produce localized lesions that might be mistaken for an expanding necrotic spider bite. Cellulitis should be included on the differential diagnosis and ruled out before considering a patient with a necrotic spider bite. 

Many controversial techniques have been employed in the management of true Brown Recluse spider bites. Unfortunately, no scientific evidence exists which supports an ideal method or methods of management. However, case reports advocate a variety of therapies as potentially useful. Most agree, however, that good local management of the cutaneous lesion is the most important aspect of care. Tetanus prophylaxis should always be included. In... 

Wright SW, Wrenn KD, and Murray L (1997) Clinical presentation and outcome of brown recluse spider bite. Annals of Emergency Medicine 30 28-32. 

There is no routine test for the diagnosis of trivial or cutaneous arachnidism. The use of a passive hemagglutination inhibition test has been used successfully to identify venom from Brown Recluse spider bites in animal studies. This test has not yet been used for diagnostic purposes in human trials and is not routinely available to clinicians. 

Barrett SM, Romine-Jenkins M, and Campbell JP (1989) Passive hemagglutination inhibition test for diagnosis of Brown Recluse spider bite envenomation. Annals of Emergency Medicine 18 441. 

Cacy J and Mold JW (1999) The clinical characteristics of Brown Recluse spider bites treated by family physicians. Journal of Family Fractice 48(7) 536-542. 

Rees RS, Altenbern DP, Lynch JB, et al. (1985) Brown Recluse spider bites A comparison of early surgical excision versus dapsone and delayed surgical excision. Annals of Surgery 202 659. 

Yarbrough BE (1987) Current treatment of Brown Recluse spider bites. Current Concepts in Wound Care 10 4—6. 

Includes, but not limited to Brown recluse spider bite Cat-scratch disease Cellulitis... 

Loxosceles reclusa Violin or Fiddleback Spider (loxoscelism is a systemic syndrome due to the bite of a female brown recluse spider). This is a small reddish brown spider with a violin-shaped mark on the dorsum surface of the cephalothorax. It is generally found in the southern United States. Exposure is through a bite, which may go unnoticed. Spiders may be found in woodpiles and basements. 

Brown Recluse spider venom contains many diverse protein fractions including spreading factors and enzymes such as hyaluronidase, collagenase, protease, phospholipase, and others. These venom components cause coagulation of blood and, ultimately, the occlusion of small blood vessels at the bite site. This leads to local skin and tissue necrosis due to ischemia. Hemolysis of red blood cells may also occur. The normal inflammatory processes that follow, such as edema and hemorrhage, contribute to the tissue damage caused by the venom. 

Since home identification of a Brown Recluse spider is rarely possible, a brown spider bite should be treated as any other bite of an unknown insect or spider. Management should include the application of a topical disinfectant such as 3% hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol and brief application of a cold compress for pain. Should the bite site develop increased redness and swelling or a local ulcer develop over several days, a physician should evaluate the wound to rule out infection. 

Despite their increase, public awareness of these spiders has been low, because the Brown Recluse Spider has been blamed for the bites that people receive from Hobo Spiders. 

My threat is being bitten by a poisonous insect or even spider. I will assume that a single bite is debilitating, or even deadly, and should be avoided wherever possible. This could be either the bite from the lethal Sydney funnel-web spider or from a brown recluse spider or a sting from a common bumblebee when the individual is allergic to it. Unlike some of the chemical risks discussed earlier, where the actual threat to humans is debatable, there is no doubt that venomous pests present a serious health hazard to certain individuals. 

Additionally, there are the numerous poisonous or near-poisonous species of the insect world, not to mention snakes. In a class by itself in the United States is the brown recluse spider, whose bite causes a sloughing off of the tissue around the wound, producing a cavity. The processes are complex, and a recognized authority is biochemist Collis Geren of the University of Arkansas. Another authority is Gary... 

Envenomation occurs subcutaneously due to the small biting apparatus of the spider. The Brown Recluse Loxosceles reclusa) spider, as its name implies, is found in secluded areas. Bites occur most frequently to the hands and arms while reaching into woodpiles or other well-protected areas. 

The bite of the Brown Recluse is usually painless and often goes unnoticed initially. The spider is seldom seen. Therefore, most patients do not seek treatment until a necrotic lesion develops. Within several hours of envenomation, local symptoms of redness and pain occur. Within 24 h, a reddish to violet colored blister becomes surrounded by a... 

Tegenaria agrestis The initial bite of the hobo spider may be painless and unnoticed. It is the most similar to the brown recluse. Induration surrounded by erythema may be present within 30 min. A blister formation typically follows within 15-35 h. About... 

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