Brown recluse spiders are rarely seen or identified. A brown recluse spider bite often is not felt when it happens. The complex venom causes
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The Bottom Line
Brown recluse spiders are rarely seen or identified. A brown recluse spider bite often is not felt when it happens. The complex venom causes injury and death (necrosis) of the surrounding tissues. In severe cases, the venom can damage deeper tissues. Serious illness and death are rare. There is no antidote; treatment includes treating the wound and preventing infection.
The Full Story
Although reports of bites from a brown spider that caused severe tissue damage and even necrosis (tissue death) can be found as early as 1872 in the U.S., it was not until 1957 that the brown recluse spider,
Loxosceles reclusa, was identified as the likely culprit. Today, the brown recluse spider is one of the most medically important spiders. Of the many thousands of spiders we come across, it is one of the few that not only can bite humans, but whose venom can cause serious wounds and poisoning.
The name "
reclusa" describes the spider’s behavior – it avoids humans and human activity, lives in dark and quiet places, such as basements and woodpiles, is active at night, hides its web and is rarely seen. Even though it avoids humans, it bites when threatened. This usually happens when a previously dark and quiet place – like the garden gloves or boots you had stored in your garage – is suddenly disturbed when you put them on.
The brown recluse spider is recognized by the unique violin-shaped marking on its back, with the neck of the violin pointing towards the rear of the body. As its name suggests, the spider is tan to brown in color. The violin-shaped marking is a darker brown. There are no other markings, such as stripes or bands, on the rest of its body or legs.
Although the violin-shaped marking is easy to identify, the most unique feature of the brown recluse spider is its eyes. While most spiders have eight eyes, the brown recluse has six eyes arranged in three pairs in a semi-circular row.
An adult recluse can be as big as a U.S. quarter, including its legs. Within the
Loxoceles family of spiders, the brown recluse is the most widespread in the U.S., and is commonly found in Southern and Midwestern states.
The brown recluse venom can destroy human tissue. The victim may not feel or notice the bite when it occurs. At first, the bite site may appear like any other insect bite - a little red, itchy and inflamed. Over the course of a few days, the venom destroys the surrounding tissues. The wound gets larger, more painful, and darker in color. Necrosis or tissue death is identified when the tissue becomes black in color and forms a crust that eventually falls off. The venom can penetrate deeper in the tissues, sometimes affecting the fat and muscles. Often, the bite of a brown recluse spider leaves a crater-like scar after it has healed completely.
The wound formed from the venom can quickly and easily allow an infection to set in, worsening the wound-healing process. The infection as well as the venom can also spread to the rest of the body and possibly become life-threatening.
It is very difficult to diagnose a brown recluse spider bite unless the victim felt the bite and saw and correctly identified the culprit. Many other conditions can mimic the bite of a brown recluse spider: bacterial, viral or fungal infections; other insect bites; and medical conditions that affect blood circulation. An educated guess can often be made based on a careful history obtained from the patient.
There is no antidote for the brown recluse venom. Treatment is targeted towards specific symptoms.
- Antihistamines can be given to relieve itching.
- Antibiotics prevent or treat infection.
- Surgical intervention may be needed for deep or infected wounds.
- Tetanus vaccinations must be up-to-date. A booster is usually given if the person’s vaccine status is unknown.
Although it is not easy to completely avoid the bite of a brown recluse spider, there are a few steps that can reduce the risk.
- Shake out items such as gloves, boots, shoes, clothing and blankets before using them, especially if they are not used often or have been in storage.
- Warn the spiders by making noise or vibrations (i.e. stomping your feet) before entering basements, attics, storage areas and unused closets.
- Avoid clutter. Brown recluse spiders love to hide in the nooks and crannies of your home, or in between or under items.
- Glue traps can be useful.
- Contact a professional pest control operator if you suspect an infestation of brown recluse spiders within your home.
If you suspect a brown recluse spider bite, wash the bite site with soap and water. Then call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use
webPOISONCONTROL®
to get help online. The nurse or pharmacist who answers your call will tell you what to do. If you need emergency care, the poison specialist will contact the emergency room staff with treatment advice.
