Spider Bites

Relax. I and my kids have been bitten numerous times by spiders. A teacher of one of the kids did get bitten by a brown recluse but most spider bites are relatively benign. They itch a lot and yes, they can become infected, but even that is fairly rare. Sometimes a person has a bad allergic reaction, and that needs attention.

One of my children always swells up a lot from spider bites (and mosquito bites too), but still, only needed medical attention once after the spider bite swelled up over a quarter of her lower leg (she was small) - and she needed antibiotics. But that was once out of dozens of bites.

If it looks no worse than two days ago - it is doing well. If it gets worse, then go.

Nope. If nothing has changed and the blister is gone - proceed with life as normal.

If he spikes a fever or the redness expands outside the line your husband drew - you are fine...

When a Brown Recluse bites - 1. you know it...2. the whole area is inflamed and a risen - it is NOT a mosquito bite size....3. necrosis will start within 12 to 24 hours...and by 48 hours? the skin would be black, blood coming from the wound and fevers....the pain would be horrible....how do I know? my ex husband got bit by one...it was nasty.

Seems to be getting better so why run to the doctor? Go to church and enjoy your day!

He's fine. I lived in NC for several years with the military. If it were a poisonous spider he would have had an immediate reaction. He's fine. It was a non-poisonous spider and had a normal allergic reaction to the bite. He's probably had more bites in his life that you were never aware of. You really should stay off the computer. There's more misleading info online that accurate. If you do go online for medical searches use only reputable sites like Mayoclinic.com. If you read something that worries you from a reputable site then you should call your doctor. Don't rush to the ER. The biggest clue with your kids is how they're acting. If they're acting fine then chances are they are.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

At this point a brown recluse bite would already have sent you to the ER or medical clinic because it would be UGLY! Sounds like a typical, garden-variety spider bite. They do itch like crazy, get red and sometimes a little swollen and feverish or develop a little ulcer where the blister is, but then they go away in a few days. Any progressive swelling or red lines shooting out from the bite needs attention, but it sounds fine.

Relax.
If it were going to be a problem -- it would already be a problem and you'd already be gone to the ER. Just watch it. If it gets infected, see the doc.
Go to church.
LBC

If he seems fine, go to church. It sounds like a good sign that the redness is gone. Call the pedi Mon. morning, if you are still worried about it.

Kiss your husband and thank him for being the calm one. He did the right thing (by tracing the circle), and you kept an eye on it. You two seem to balance each other out nicely. ;o)

Pick up the phone and call the service and have someone from your docs office call you. Ask them what they think. It can't hurt and someone is always on call. We call the hospital and they notify the person on call and they call us back in just a bit.

A friend of mine did get bit by a brown recluse. He ended up having to go and be in a tank where the oxygen is concentrated to help heal the bite. He still has a crater that never really filled in.

I would just see what the doc says. In any case it can't hurt to start an antibiotic if needed today instead of later. But ask the doc when he calls back first.