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05-20-2017, 08:36 PM
Has anyone been bitten by a Brown Recluse? I've searched through google for the last couple days and I'm just not sure what bit me. Apparently, where I live, Black Widows and Brown Recluses are the spiders I should be concerned about if bitten. I was in the garage, took my seat belt off and as my left upper arm brushed across the seat side, I felt a sting...and the sensation only became more painful. I instantly itched at my upper arm thinking that maybe something sharp was poking out of my seat, but nothing was there. The pain started to radiate and when I shook my arm, it didn't go away. I noticed a blister like thing, and some redness. It hurt more at that point. I iced it for about an hour and the blister kind of went away, but the red area got bigger. Then the itching started. Bad itching. I did some more research and didn't find any fang marks like a Black Widow may leave. The itching continued and the redness spread. The next day it spread more around the general area where I was bit. The swelling also started. I notice that the skin tissue is slightly hard under the surface. I really have no idea what I was bit by or stung by. I don't have an open wound or bite area that is getting larger or oozing or anything. It is just swollen, a lot of inflamed redness, itchy and painful-with the hardness under the skin. I may be freaking myself out, but I've never had anything like this happen. Something definitely bit/stung me. I never should have googled Brown Recluse bites!!  Yuck!! I'll try to attach some photos! The red area has increased about three times the size of what the photo shows since taken. Thanks in advance for your advice!
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I was bitten by a Brown Recluse when I was around 20. It was one crazy experience. The neurological symptoms of the venom is noticeable pretty quick. Felt like I was tripping. Had to go to the hospital and get treated for 2 days.
That said, I don't believe it was either of the spiders you mentioned as you don't seem to be showing other symptoms. But given the reaction you had, I would suggest getting it looked at as soon as you can. It does seem like an insect bite of some sort that it causing the swelling and itching. Even a common house spider can cause damage to the flesh and skin. I'm not trying to scare you, I just think it should be looked at to be safe.
I hope you get some relief soon, and get better soon,
Den
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(05-21-2017, 02:42 AM)Denman66 Wrote: I was bitten by a Brown Recluse when I was around 20. It was one crazy experience. The neurological symptoms of the venom is noticeable pretty quick. Felt like I was tripping. Had to go to the hospital and get treated for 2 days.
That said, I don't believe it was either of the spiders you mentioned as you don't seem to be showing other symptoms. But given the reaction you had, I would suggest getting it looked at as soon as you can. It does seem like an insect bite of some sort that it causing the swelling and itching. Even a common house spider can cause damage to the flesh and skin. I'm not trying to scare you, I just think it should be looked at to be safe.
I hope you get some relief soon, and get better soon,
Den
Thanks, I appreciate your feedback! I starting to think it wasn't a Brown Recluse, because I'm not getting any of the open wound, pustule symptoms. Which is good. It's been three days and still itches like crazy, and is sore. I should check it out, I know...the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about doctors visits is..."great, how much will the bill be?". Which is terrible, but I should take care of myself more. It's crazy how quick it happened. I was stung/bit... and instant pain set in, as if someone poked me hard with a sewing needle. Crazy. I've never felt anything like this before. I've circled the swollen circles on my arm to track the spreading. Anyway, thanks so much for your input, helps me relax some! Peace to you! Take care! 
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Ok, I am guessing it wasn't a brown recluse, false alarm!...I went to the doctor, and although they couldn't tell me what type of spider it was (because I didn't bring it in), it never had that pustular pimple like thing in the center of the bite like a brown recluse would leave. It did continue to spread though, until I took the antihistamine and steroid. The next day, the swelling and redness started to go away. It still itches some, but there is barely any sign of it now. Thanks for all the advice!
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I know two people who have been bitten by brown recluse but the thing is they never felt the bite until it bruised up and became an open sore a couple of days later! They are sneaky little buggers!
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Glad to hear the symptoms of whatever are leaving. *i have been under pressure but i am fairly certain i wrote u a PM about when my partner was bitten by a recluse.* i could be wrong. happens quite a bit.
Happy for u.
 It is Well with My Soul
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(05-31-2017, 05:31 PM)Charon Wrote: Glad to hear the symptoms of whatever are leaving. *i have been under pressure but i am fairly certain i wrote u a PM about when my partner was bitten by a recluse.* i could be wrong. happens quite a bit.
Happy for u.
Oh gosh, Charon, you are correct. You did, and it was so informative. I think at the time I was unable to private message you back, so I couldn't respond like that. But your description was very useful. I never got that "pimple" like dot in the center...but the redness and itching and pain spread like wildfire. At this point, I'm wondering if it was a wasp...but it's water under the bridge. I'm still getting a tad bit of itching, but nothing serious! Thanks again for all your concern. This thread can be deleted if necessary or not. I appreciate all the responses and personal accounts of being bitten by mean ol' bugs! 
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