Spider Bite Treatment
This Spider Bite information sheet is from the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine and offers some great tips on spider bite treatment and facts.
Bitten by a Spider
There have been reports, from barrack residents, of skin sores (lesions, ulcers, vesicles) that have been attributed to the bites of spiders. These incidents often do not include the observation, by the patient or other witness, of a spider actually biting nor the capture/retention of a spider specimen that was responsible for the bite.
These incidents often do not involve an identifiable moment of pain linked to the advent of the sore. Often several individuals living in the same barracks have exhibited similar sores, during the same period of time. Sores have appeared on any part of the body. Sometimes these have been called brown recluse bites? because they appear to enlarge over time and are raw and oozing. They also may somewhat resemble photographs on numerous websites that show the degenerative wounds caused by brown recluse spiders.
Confirmed spider bites of humans are relatively uncommon. Most spiders are non-aggressive and only bite humans when accidentally pressed against the skin while hiding in clothing, shoes, bedding.
Although all spiders have some type of venom, most spiders are too small or otherwise incapable of puncturing the skin and only a few species of spiders have venom toxic enough to cause harm.
Spiders are often blamed for skin sores or apparent bites when no other cause is found.
Brown Recluse Locations
Lesions obtained in states other than: FL, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, TN, AR, OK, NB, IA, KS, MO, IL, IN, or OH are not likely to be caused by Brown Recluse spiders.
Treating a Spider Bite
If a spider bite is suspected but no spider was observed or collected by the patient, a thorough inspection of the patients room and adjacent barracks areas should conducted. Areas in closets, baseboards, corners, under beds, behind furniture, and objects on the floor (e.g., shoes) should be inspected using a flashlight.
Adhesive survey traps should be placed in sufficient numbers (e.g., at least 5 per room) and checked regularly to detect spiders, if present. If numerous non-spider arthropods are caught, this could be an indication that spider prey is available to support spider populations.
Any sanitation deficiencies which might support spiders should be corrected. One of the most important spider controlling tools is a vacuum cleaner.
If a spider is found associated with a bite, SAVE IT (in a pill vial or any container). It should be brought along if medical care is sought.
At the same time that a spider inspection is taking place, possible non-spider causes should be considered.
Multiple lesions on one individual, or multiple individuals (room mates, barrack mates) with similar lesions, are strong indicators that the problem may not be caused by spiders.
Spiders not Biting
One emerging cause of mis-diagnosed spider bites is an infection called Community-Acquired (or associated), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or CA-MRSA.
This is a treatable bacterial skin infection that is spread by contact (e.g., bedding, towels, furniture upholstery, work-out equipment).
CA-MRSA lesions can be found on any part of the body and can consist of raw, open, weeping, painful pustules. Sometimes ancillary (additional) pustules may develop adjacent to the original wound.
It is important to differentiate spider bites from CA-MRSA because their respective treatments are different. Also, CA-MRSA is infectious to others. CA-MRSA can be confirmed by medical personnel via culture.
Whatever the cause, if skin lesions or bites of unknown origin are experienced, seek medical attention immediately.
Written by Jim on August 2nd, 2007 with 85 comments.
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