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Spider bite
I would like information on what to do about a brown recluse spider bite that will not heal after seven months. Weekly wound care and eight rounds of antibiotics have not helped. In fact, it seems to be getting worse. Thank you.
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Hello @tlogan,
Welcome to Connect. Here's some detailed information from Mayo Clinic, about spider bites: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spider-bites/symptoms-causes/syc-20352371
I've copied a bit about brown recluse spider bites for your convenience:
"In a minority of cases, (the skin at the center of the bite can become dark blue or purple and then evolve into a deep open sore (ulcer) that enlarges as the surrounding skin dies. The ulcer usually stops growing within 10 days after the bite, but full healing can take months.
Seek prompt medical care if the person who was bitten experiences severe pain, abdominal cramping or a growing ulcer at the bite site."
I'd like to invite Mentors @rosemarya @hopeful33250 @johnbishop to join in with their thoughts, as well.
@tlogan, have you asked asked your doctor about the wound worsening? Have you had a tetanus booster shot?
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1 ReactionHi @tlogan, I would like to add my welcome to @kanaazpereira. I agree with Kanaaz that it's good to ask your doctor about it. I did find some information on the poison.org site for the brown recluse spider bite. The site says treatment is target to the specific symptoms as there is no known antidote. It does mention about making sure your tetanus vaccinations are up-to-date.
-- https://www.poison.org/articles/2014-oct/brown-recluse-spider-bites
John
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2 ReactionsI 'think' I've been bitten by the same. This occurred in 2016 and the sore, in the same area, returned in 2017 and just recently (2108) - two months after my dermatology appt. In 2017, I thought it was just weird or a fluke. But now that it has returned again (am currently dealing with the sore), I took a picture of the infected area and, if it comes back again in 2019 before my yearly dermatology appt., I will show and ask. Here is a good web-site which explains a lot about these types of bites, the symptoms and treatments. Unfortunately, for me, it doesn't say anything about the sore returning. Personally, I think these types of bites affect everyone differently. Hopefully your getting treatment from a doctor. https://www.webmd.com/search/search_results/default.aspx?query=brown%20recluse%20spider%20bite. Good luck
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