Loxosceles reclusa

When the spider bites you, you may feel a sharp sting or nothing at all. Pain usually develops within the first several hours after being bitten, and may become severe. Children may have more serious reactions.

Symptoms may include:

• Chills
• Itching
• General ill-feeling or discomfort
• Fever
• Nausea
• Reddish or purplish color in a circle around bite
• Sweating
• Ulcer in the area of the bite

In rare cases:

• Coma
• Blood in urine
• Jaundice
• Kidney failure
• Seizures

Images

Arthropods, basic features

Brown recluse spider bite on the hand

Arachnids, basic features

Review Date: 10/05/2009
Reviewed By: Clark RF, Schneir AB. Arthropod bites and stings. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2004:chap 194.

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