spider bite

I was bitten by a spider last night, I'm pretty sure.

I'm also pretty sure that I don't need to go to the doctor, but anxiety is dancing around in my head.

I decided to "tough out" a spider bite in the past and ended up developing staph infection in it. (OUCH)

The thing is - this one is already getting better. I KNOW it is. The swelling has gone down a little. The streaks coming from it are a bit less pronounced.

But, in the back of my head, I keep thinking "What if it gets infected?"

There's a clinic I can go to in the morning, but I really, really need not to spend more money. I've spent much more than I can afford on therapy & the E Coli mess.

The sore is only about the size of a nickel, the ridge around it about the size of a quarter, the streaks are a couple inches long at best. It only hurts in the very center - mostly just itches.

Benadryl should handle this booger .... shouldn't it? :/

You keeping it clean right,and the bad kind didn't bite you did it? I hope not& that you heal up well real soon love your courage you so rock keep it up Iam watching&your courage encourage me.

Dawn is talking about a spider here in Fort Worth, the bite will have
a pimple looking center and a red ring around it anywhere from 2-3
inches in diameter, it will actually hurt! I think spiders are from another planet. Peace

Larry ***

I am keeping it very clean, covered, antibiotic cream & had two doses of benadryl and & some ibuprofen for the fever in it (even though I'm not supposed to take NSAIDs til I get the all-clear on the E Coli, I don't think one dose will hurt.)

Thank you guys for the reassurance! It's looking much better today, I knew I was just freaking out, just wanted back-up on that. Since hubby has panic attacks too, when he saw me he was like "OMG, hospital!" lol

BeRock.......

Most spider bites are solitary (not a cluster of bites). The bite appears as a small, pink, raised bump on the skin. It's not very obvious.

Most spider bites require little treatment. They can be managed without visiting your doctor.

Wash the bite area with soap and water. Apply ice to reduce any swelling. Make sure you've had a tetanus booster within five years prior to the bite. If you haven't had a booster, tell your doctor you need one.

Several spiders can cause a more significant skin or body reaction.

Bites by hobo spiders and brown recluse spiders can deposit enough venom to break down the skin around the bite. This can prevent effective circulation to the healing area, rupture red blood cells, and trigger an allergic reaction.

Most of the time, symptoms from these venomous spider bites are limited to pain and skin changes right around the site of the bite.

Typically, the area around the bite will first appear very pale and then become red and swollen. After the first day, a bad bite can develop an open sore (an ulcer). Any dead skin around the bite can turn gray, black or blistered.

See a doctor if you think you've been bitten by a hobo spider or brown recluse and you have a reaction to the bite that's larger than the size of a quarter.  For skin reactions that include an ulcer, a doctor should supervise your care of the wound. ^{Resource: Mary Pickett, M.D}

Remember what is posted here is just from info I read and I am not a Dr.

You did good not letting the anxiety get out of hand.  Proud of you !

 

Hugs,

Kitt