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What to do for a spider bite??

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What to do for a spider bite??

Posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

Recieved a nasty spider bite on chest area. Symtoms are a large round red circle with a dark center (looks like a bulls-eye). Live in Minnesota so I don't think it is a poisonous spider. I have been putting teatree oil on it which minimized the swelling. It looks really scary! Any thoughts on what to do? Should I go to the doctor?

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Re: What to do for a spider bite??

Posted by Fork in the Road [358.5467] on March 10, 2009 at 10:57:11:

In Reply to: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

Spider? Sure it wasn't a tick???

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Re: What to do for a spider bite??

Posted by PeterB [12888.1399] on March 10, 2009 at 11:41:37:

In Reply to: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

The term "non-poisonous" is a bit misleading. It refers to a population-level degree of risk to severe allergic reaction, so if the risk is considered extremely low, the spider is referred to as "non-poisonous." But your individual response can be far more severe than the average person's, so it may be wise to have a doctor look at it. In the meantime, take at least 10 vitamin C tablets (5-10g) per day for the next few weeks, as the immune system sacrifices large amts of vitamin C to combat the toxin. My mother, almost 90, just healed up from a half-dollar size (infected) spider bite (breed not identified) using a topical application of virgin coconut oil, though it has taken about 4 weeks. See link below.

  • Spiders

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by Ms. D. [6525.3047] on March 10, 2009 at 11:50:21:

    In Reply to: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

    My daughter was bit by a brown recluse on her foot when she was four. A naturopath recommended putting on a paste made of ground flax seed and charcoal until we could get in. You can do this by buying some charcoal caps (in the herbs section of your health food store or vitamin store) and some whole flax seeds. Grind the flax seeds (coffee grinder works well or one of those hand blenders with a special attachment) and open a charcoal cap. Mix with just a bit of water to make a paste-like consistency, and then apply to the bite. You can cover this with gauze or a bandaid. Change every so often. This will help draw the poison out.

    I would also go for high doses of vitamin C.

    The naturopath also did accupuncture, and gave us a tincture. It's been so long ago that I don't remember what kind.

    This all worked quite well. She didn't have any problems with skin necrosis, which can happen with brown recluse bites. (M.D.s wanted to give her antibiotics and steroids.)

    If it were me, I would go to a naturopath (N.D.) over an m.d., unless you were positive the m.d. was very holistically oriented.

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by Opinn [12677.7406] on March 10, 2009 at 13:31:02:

    In Reply to: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

    Do you have any itch? Do you know for sure its a spider?

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by Michele [4954.6457] on March 10, 2009 at 14:47:11:

    In Reply to: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

    Sounds like lyme... although a spider bite CAN look like that and a
    reaction to spider is not fun... take benedryl and put topical benedryl
    on it.

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by craig [8177.4304] on March 10, 2009 at 15:04:54:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by PeterB [12888.1399] on March 10, 2009 at 11:41:37:

    I believe the Brown Recluse can be found in most states. Their bites are serious and should be treated at once. Get it looked at!

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by craig ... Addenum [8177.4304] on March 10, 2009 at 15:14:52:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by craig [8177.4304] on March 10, 2009 at 15:04:54:

    Found conflicting info as to range of the Brown Recluse. From "yes" to being found in Minnesota to "rarely found".
    WE have lot's of them in Missouri Ozarks. I keep "sticky traps" in the closets and catch several every year.I also know several people who've been bitten by them.The results have ranged from inor to severe with hospitaization required.

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by AD [4750.6704] on March 10, 2009 at 20:33:11:

    In Reply to: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

    Put a paste of meat tenderizer on it immediately.

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by PeterB [12888.1399] on March 11, 2009 at 00:02:48:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by craig [8177.4304] on March 10, 2009 at 15:04:54:

    Thanks, Craig, but the wound was overlooked for at least a week or more as I thought it was a minor abrasion. Since antivenom is not used except in cases of severe reaction (her symptoms were mild) and other treatments are tangential to prognosis, there was no reason to panic.

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by Carol B. [10264.4626] on March 11, 2009 at 03:05:51:

    In Reply to: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

    Take a clear picture of the area.
    You may need this in the future.

    Do the bite and the rash resemble any of these?


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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7469] on March 11, 2009 at 07:28:49:

    In Reply to: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

    Clou,

    Sounds like a brown recluse which requires diagnosis and treatment.

    Let us know what you learn.

    Walt

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite?? (BE Sure it is Not Lyme)

    Posted by Ron [5412.7502] on March 11, 2009 at 16:16:32:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Carol B. [10264.4626] on March 11, 2009 at 03:05:51:

    Hi Carol,

    If it were me, I would not want to miss treating
    a Tick Bite EARLY and suffer with Lyme problems for the rest of my life..

    It would be so simple to take Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day for a month and hopefully resolve any infection
    from a spider OR a Tick..

    Maybe Clou will post a picture. I hope he sees a doc
    who is Lyme Literate or he may not receive adequate
    treatment.

    see link


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    Re: What to do for a spider bite?? (BE Sure it is Not Lyme)

    Posted by VF [12036.7502] on March 11, 2009 at 17:21:08:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? (BE Sure it is Not Lyme) posted by Ron [5412.7502] on March 11, 2009 at 16:16:32:

    I was Waiting for you to Jump In.... I was gona suggest Lyme, but couldn't remember what the rash should look like, and didn't want to give bad info. I would have in time, just in case.

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite?? (BE Sure it is Not Lyme)

    Posted by Ron [5412.7502] on March 11, 2009 at 20:47:41:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? (BE Sure it is Not Lyme) posted by VF [12036.7502] on March 11, 2009 at 17:21:08:

    Hi Vince,

    Sometimes with a tick bite there is no bull's eye rash,
    so the doc may not react properly with more testing.

    (Check the Olive Oyl string near the bottom.)

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite?? Brown recluse is unique. Archive.

    Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7469] on March 12, 2009 at 07:51:02:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by PeterB [12888.1399] on March 11, 2009 at 00:02:48:

    Thanks, PeterB.

    The mechanism of the brown recluse is unique among spider bites: The vasoconstrictive portion of the venom is SO powerful that it shuts off all the circulation to the area and so the lesion becomes gangrenous. Unfortunately, because the blood cannot get to the lesion, the gangrene continues to spread wider and deeper until it is a very serious lesion indeed. To my knowledge the only treatment is early excission of the area which gets wider and wider the longer it exists.

    This is the only reason for early diagnosis and treatment. The poison never becomes systemic since it is localized at the point of the bite.

    Hope this helps.

    Walt

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite??

    Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7469] on March 12, 2009 at 08:01:01:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Carol B. [10264.4626] on March 11, 2009 at 03:05:51:

    CarolB,

    This looks to have spread too wide for it to be a brown recluse. The problem with a BR is that it it intensely localized. See my earlier note, today, explaining the unique mechanism.

    Walt

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite?? Brown recluse is unique. Archive.

    Posted by PeterB [12888.1399] on March 12, 2009 at 10:27:04:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? Brown recluse is unique. Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.7469] on March 12, 2009 at 07:51:02:

    Hi Walt, thanks for that info. The bite mark now looks like a bruise with no broken skin or oozing, but I think I'll take her in just to put my mind at ease. Some of her earlier (mystery) symptoms now look more related to a black widow bite, maybe that's why she "got off light."

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite?? Brown recluse is unique. Archive.

    Posted by VF [12036.7502] on March 12, 2009 at 10:46:08:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? Brown recluse is unique. Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.7469] on March 12, 2009 at 07:51:02:

    Walt, don't they get O2 to the externally to prevent necrosis?

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite?? Brown recluse is unique. Archive.

    Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7469] on March 13, 2009 at 08:03:43:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? Brown recluse is unique. Archive. posted by PeterB [12888.1399] on March 12, 2009 at 10:27:04:

    PeterB,

    Probably prudent. let us know what you learn.

    Walt

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    Re: What to do for a spider bite?? Brown recluse is unique. Archive.

    Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7469] on March 13, 2009 at 08:05:44:

    In Reply to: Re: What to do for a spider bite?? Brown recluse is unique. Archive. posted by VF [12036.7502] on March 12, 2009 at 10:46:08:

    Not nearly enough, Vince.

    Of course it depends upon how big the spider was and how long it got to inject it's venom. Yuk!

    Walt

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    Found a natural treatment for Brown Recluse bite (with LINK)

    Posted by PeterB [12888.1399] on March 15, 2009 at 00:45:17:

    In Reply to: What to do for a spider bite?? posted by Clou [10723.7488] on March 10, 2009 at 10:55:43:

    I found this product for Brown Recluse bite on the web, maybe it's effective for black widow and other infecting bite wounds. Medical sources I checked suggest little if any effective treatment for spider bites, whereas this product comes with a money-back guarantee. I'm taking my mother to the doctor on Tuesday and if the doc thinks I'm right about what happened (I suspect Black widow more than BR), I'll be ordering.

  • Brown Recluse Treatment



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