Question 1

can a brown recluse spider hurt when they bite you?

Accepted Answer

There is often no: Pain when they actually bite you.A blister develops with swelling. It then enlarges, hardens ; becomes red. This develops into an ulcer. Other symptoms may include: nausea, vomiting, joint pain, fevers, chills and possibly a rash over the body with small red to purple dots. This can be a painful condition.

Question 2

will a brown recluse spider hurt when they bite you?

Accepted Answer

My story: I was bit by a brown recluse over twenty years ago. It did not hurt when bit.  But i went on to have fever, swelling of my arm, necrosis of tissue around the bite and i had musculo-skeletal pain all over. I basically felt like roadkill. My understanding is that some people don't have much of reaction to it.

Question 3

there are brown recluse spiders where i live.  is it possible to get a bite and not feel anything?

Accepted Answer

Possible: It is possible to be bitten during your sleep and not feel anything.  However if you do not have any signs or symptoms of a recluse bite then you should not worry about it.

Question 4

do a lot of people get brown recluse spider bites?

Accepted Answer

Not many: Brown recluse spiders are mostly in the midwest, usually in basements and hidden areas.  They are not aggressive but will bite if disturbed.  Most spider bites are by other species.  Look for the fiddle pattern on the spider.  Bites are rare but need serious attention as they lead to a persistent necrosis which can last for months.

Question 5

is it possible to get bitten by a brown recluse spider and not get any symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: A brown recluse bite is usually painful and itchy. If you have no symptoms you may have been bitten by something else.

Question 6

if bitten by a brown recluse spider and left untreated what usually happens to it?

Accepted Answer

Necrosis: The problem with this type of spider is the venom causes necrosis (death) of tissue. However, there really isn't a medicine that has been shown to stop this damage. Right now the best care is meticulous wound care.

Question 7

my son may have touched a brown recluse spider. is it poisonous to touch it if you are not bit?

Accepted Answer

Only if bitten: The brown recluse spider is poisonous only if it bites a person. The spider eats insects and does not feed on humans. It may bite if startled, scared, or accidentally touched by a person. The bite site will be reddened, swollen, and painful within a few hours. If bitten, one should see his doctor or visit the emergency room for proper treatment.

Question 8

how is the brown recluse spider bite treated?

Accepted Answer

Clean & ice: The wound is cleaned and ice packs may be applied.  An effected extremity is elevated. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be used.  Ulceration may sometimes be treated or prevented with dapsone.   A tetanus shot may be required. Antibiotics may be necessary if the wound becomes infected. Large ulcerations could require debridment.

Question 9

how will a brown recluse spider bite progress?

Accepted Answer

Insidiously!: First, redness, then a small central ulcer that progresses and enlarges despite all care. Secondary infection is possible, but tissue loss is because of the toxin, not usually infection. Debridement by a skilled plastic surgeon is often needed, and the wounds are difficult to heal and will leave scarring, often severe. This is not the fault of the doctor; it's the nature of the poisonous bite.

Question 10

how do people treat brown recluse spider bite?

Accepted Answer

NOT surgery: The drug Dapsone is often advocated, but there is no firm evidence that it helps. Nitroglycerine patches may be effective; brown recluse venom constricts blood vessels and Nitroglycerin dilates them, but again, no proof that it helps. Surgery is ineffective and may actually worsen the outcome.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Can brown recluse spiders bite more than once

A member asked:

Can a brown recluse spider hurt when they bite you?

A member asked:

Will a brown recluse spider hurt when they bite you?

A member asked:

There are brown recluse spiders where i live. is it possible to get a bite and not feel anything?

A member asked:

Do a lot of people get brown recluse spider bites?

A member asked:

Is it possible to get bitten by a brown recluse spider and not get any symptoms?

A member asked:

If bitten by a brown recluse spider and left untreated what usually happens to it?

A member asked:

My son may have touched a brown recluse spider. is it poisonous to touch it if you are not bit?

A member asked:

How is the brown recluse spider bite treated?

A member asked:

How will a brown recluse spider bite progress?

A member asked:

How do people treat brown recluse spider bite?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?