Spider Bite? Should I be worried?

[Bartholomew]

(Heads up: I am deeply and strongly afraid of spiders)

I was sleeping and I felt a sting. I didnt pay much attention to it, and after 5 seconds I jumped right out of bed and started looking under my sheets to see what had bit me. I couldn't find anything. It bit my upper thigh. The first thing that came to my mind was a Brown Recluse Spider. I looked up the symptoms and it said that after 6 hours it was going to get gray and purple and all that stuff, but I wouldn't feel anything during the time period between the 6 hours. As I'm typing this, my leg is starting to feel kind of numb. Just a little. And the symptoms for the Brown Recluse say nothing about feeling numb around the affected area. So can I rule that out? I woke up at about 10:00.
I know there are some spider-experts around on the forum. As of right now, I'm kind of freaked out. I dont know if I should take immediate action or let it progress further to see what it really is.
Please help me. Thanks :uhoh:

 

[Outcast]

I wish I could help you out. Fortunately I have never been bitten by a brown recluse, I also do not know anyone personally that I could ask about this type of thing... I did get bitten by a spider when I was a child, but nothing happened in the area.

 

[OkeeteeMom]

If you have 'symptoms' from any type of spider bite that are more than just your usual reaction to an insect bite, then consider When in doubt, have it checked out. It doesn't have to be a BR for a person to have a bad reaction. Keep an eye on it and don't get panicky. Listen to your inner voice.

 

[Bartholomew]

Well, I rarley get bit by an insect. (Except a mosquito, but thats only in the summer, and I know how to distingusish thoes) Right now, my leg is feeling kind of numb still.
Its been 2 hours and there seems to be no swelling or itching/redness. Only that gray bruise looking thing. Its pretty small though. Like I said, my upper thigh feels numb. I'm still waiting for the six hour mark. I've calmed down a little. I'm hoping its not anything serious.

 

[Bartholomew]

Thank you for the input! I appreciate it

 

[Rich Z]

Have you found brown recluse spiders in your place before? All spiders are venomous to some degree and there are lots of different types of spiders around. And everyone will react differently to the bites.

If you have any concerns, make an appointment to see your doctor now. If you are feeling better by the time your appointment comes around, then cancel it. But if it escalates to an emergency situation, then you'll be ahead of the game by already having the appointment.

 

[ShenziSixaxis]

I say make a doctor's appointment for within the next three days and keep an eye on it. If ANYTHING alarming happens, then go to the ER. Since it's a brown recluse, I say you see a doctor either way.

I've had some nasty bug bites that I thought would be really bad that actually turned out to be fine, though one did turn out to actually be a soft tissue infection.

 

[Bartholomew]

I say make a doctor's appointment for within the next three days and keep an eye on it. If ANYTHING alarming happens, then go to the ER. Since it's a brown recluse, I say you see a doctor either way.

I've had some nasty bug bites that I thought would be really bad that actually turned out to be fine, though one did turn out to actually be a soft tissue infection.

The thing is, I'm not sure if its a brown recluse. I looked up the symptoms, and it said 6-8 hours after the bite, symptoms will start to show. Its bearly been 4 hours, and my leg feels kind of weak.

Have you found brown recluse spiders in your place before? All spiders are venomous to some degree and there are lots of different types of spiders around. And everyone will react differently to the bites.

If you have any concerns, make an appointment to see your doctor now. If you are feeling better by the time your appointment comes around, then cancel it. But if it escalates to an emergency situation, then you'll be ahead of the game by already having the appointment.

I havent found any BR's in my house before. I've only killed spiders, but I've never payed attention to what they are. So far, its been 4 hours since the bite, and I dont feel any different. Like I said, my leg became kind of weak.

 

[ZoologyGirl]

You might be experiencing a placebo effect. Or you might be experiencing something real. If you are worried I'd make an appointment for later, you can always cancel it if you don't show symptoms after your 6 hours or whatever.

 

[Dreamsnake]

My husband was bitten by a brown recluse. The bite got very big and a sick purple gray before it started oozing. He had to keep it under a gauze bandage and change it a few times a day. Months later the spot is a small blue bump, but it is slowly healing.

 

[rexracer]

If you leg is numb, and getting weak, I would have it checked out immediately. I don't know a lot about spider bites, but I do know that if you're Envenomated, from anything, time is important. I wouldn't mess around. The last thing you want is to wait until you're sure there is a problem, and have some kind of permanent damage because of it.
Just my opinion.

 

[Cflaguy]

As one who has been stung many a time reaching under logs and pieces of wood my input is a follows....

Good advice here by prior posters. People react differently to venoms of different species. I've been bit by a Recluse and my brother as well. Normally you wouldn't know it for a few hours to days. It is a nasty bite that needs alot of attention. My brother went to the doctor where they cleaned his out with what was essentially and ice cream scooper. Hurt. I always feel if you think you need medical attention, get it.

 

[Dreamsnake]

Also, I get bitten by spiders all the time in my sleep. I think those little buggers are attracted to me if I am in a room with a spider it will jump on me. Charlie thought I was paranoid until he saw it happen again and again. He still teases me, but he's the one with the recluse bite. I got a spider bite inside my ear once.

Forgot to mention that the fang marks on his bite remained bright red and the infection oozed out of the tiny holes.

 

[Jdog3131]

Just the thread I love reading before bed...
Anyway I would get it checked out because really if it is something bad then you don't want it to go unnoticed.And a bite of any kind can get infected even without venom.

 

[tsst]

It can get ugly.

 

[rexracer]

^ and that's why you don't wait.uke02:

 

[pridecity]

That wasn't you, I'm assuming Tsst? Whoever it was, I'm really glad they took pictures. Gross as they are, it's sometimes necessary for some to see what can actually happen without treatment.

To the OP, hope it turns out to be nothing! Keep us updated if you can please.

 

[CarlieLynn]

THAT^^^^ is the nastiest thing I've seen in a long time. If i were you I'd get checked out pronto!

 

[tsst]

That wasn't you, I'm assuming Tsst? Whoever it was, I'm really glad they took pictures. Gross as they are, it's sometimes necessary for some to see what can actually happen without treatment.

To the OP, hope it turns out to be nothing! Keep us updated if you can please.

Nope not me. We got those pics as part of a weekly safety briefing a few years back. That's all I could find of them. There was actually like 6 or 8 daily progression pics originally.

 

[tsst]

I found them all. Not much different than my original post. In order - the culprit - day3 - day4 - day5 - day6 - ...