Loading...
The brown recluse spider is often suspected in patients with "spider bite" or ulcerating lesions of unclear etiology. Investigators at Vanderbilt University retrospectively studied 111 cases seen over a 30-month period and concluded that most outcomes are good with minimal intervention.
The presumed diagnoses were established by examination or patient description of the spider (32% of cases) or clinical course alone (68%). Two thirds of patients were seen within 72 hours of the bite. Most bites (59%) were on the lower extremities, with no multiple wounds. Central discoloration was seen in 81%, bullae in 22%, and necrosis in 37%. A secondary rash (maculopapular or "island lesions") was seen in 22%, and 14% had systemic findings (fever, nausea…