You may not notice a brown recluse spider's bite, but it's venom is more concentrated than the venom of a rattlesnake. A bite from a brown recluse spider requires treatment for proper healing. In order to properly treat a spider bite, know what kind of spider bit you. If you suspect a brown recluse, carefully watch the bite for signs of infection and tissue damage.
Home Treatment
According to eMedicine Health, most brown recluse spider bites destroy only little tissue, but on some occasions "the local reaction will be more severe with erythema and blistering, sometimes leading to a blue discoloration, and ultimately leading to a necrotic lesion and scarring." For this reason, most western doctors would discourage using home remedies to treat brown recluse spider bites without having the bite examined first. If you are not able to see a doctor immediately, you can do some treatments at home to manage the irritation and discomfort.
Swelling
To prevent swelling, elevate the affected area immediately. Apply an ice pack or a cold wash cloth to the bite. If you have turmeric and olive oil in your cupboard, make a paste and apply it directly to the bite . The combination helps decrease swelling, minimizes pain and draws the infection out of the skin. Grandma's Home Remedies recommends applying the mixture two to three times for a week.
Itching
Another remedy you can find on the spice rack is dried basil. Rubbing the dried herb onto the bite until it forms a fine texture will diminish the itching and help with swelling, too. Apsirin made into a paste with water and applied to the bite will also help soothe the itch.
Pain
A paste made of three parts baking soda and one part water can lessen the duration of the pain caused by the bite. Baking soda helps speed up the healing process, with improvement noticed in as little as two days.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
If you suspect you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, receive professional medical treatment that day. eMedicine Health states that home health treatment is helpful, but "should not replace a visit to a doctor or emergency department." Some brown recluse spider bites may cause death of the surrounding skin and a dangerous infection. Brown recluse spider bite victims frequently receive antibiotics, a tetanus shot and antihistamines. Make follow-up appointments -- usually necessary for three to four days -- to monitor the health of the surrounding tissue and to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
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