Spider bite or something else???

Question

My husband has developed a nasty sore on the side of his face...it, along with the surrounding area is very swollen and red. At first we thought it was a zit or something, but he mashed it and it got worse. It first appeared about 2 days ago, and yesterday he was feeling very weak and sore and he had a headache. He had to go through some bushes the night it happened to get to our breaker box, so we think it might be a spider bite....anyone have any input or symptoms we should watch out for? We don't really have the money to take him to the doc unless it is serious. We'd appriciate any input or suggestions..thanks

Answer 1

It is serious.  All spider bites are serious, especially around the head.  The toxins that the spider bite contains will keep working  and he needs to be on antibiotics ASAP.  He could loose tissue if the spider venom keeps on working- it kills tissue and it will also cause an infection that may require surgery to clean up- so spend the money now!

Answer 2

Sounds like a spider bite. I'd take him to the doctor if you can, I have a friend who was bitten and the venom ate a hole in her leg about the size of a golf ball. At least see if you can talk to a nurse or somebody. There are hotlines where you can describe the symptoms and get their opinion for free.

Answer 3

All arachnids are venomous.  So, any spider bite is going to have some symptoms, ranging from mild to major.  If you note a "bulls eye" pattern on the bite, red center, out about 1/4 to 1/2" a lighter circle forms surrounding the bite center, then a doctor should be seen.  That could be a brown recluse spider bite and they just get worse over time.

I'd give it another day, with hot soaks and antibiotic cream.  It should start to resolve like any other infection.  If he starts to run a fever, then move up the need to see the doctor.

Usually a course of antibiotics, and/or a Medrol dosepak, will knock back the symptoms.  

Incidentally, it could be a tick bite too.  See above about the bulls eyes circle appearance.  That could be Lyme's disease and needs to be treated.  Interesting that the deer tick and brown recluse spider share this unusual symptom.

Personally, I think by tomorrow it will show improvement.  Keep it clean.