Venomous spiders are rare in Minnesota, but every once in a while people are bit by brown recluse spiders. This spider is also known as the violin spider due to the violin-shaped spot on its head.
These spiders are abundant in the southern United States and as far north as southern Iowa. They love to hitch a ride to Minnesota in dark places such as suitcases, food crates and shipping boxes. This spider doesn’t like to hang out with humans, but likes to live in places we build—such as basements, closets and attics. In Minnesota, you’re only likely to get bit if you put your hand into a box packed in Missouri or a suitcase packed in Iowa.
Bite Symptoms
Symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite vary widely. The bite may be painful, but not always. A small white blister typically develops where you were bit and the skin could turn red or purple. Other symptoms could include itching, rash, muscle pain, increased sweating, difficulty breathing, headache, nausea, fever, chills, anxiety or high blood pressure.
What To Do After a Bite
If you know you’ve received a bite from a brown recluse spider, wash the area with soap and water. You can put a cold compress on the site to reduce swelling. Once you’ve done that, visit the board-certified emergency physicians and medical staff at The Urgency Room to have it checked.
Normally, brown recluse spider bites are not dangerous and can easily be treated at home. In rare cases they can cause skin problems or severe reactions that could result in death.
If you have a suspicious bite mark or are experiencing the symptoms above but don’t need an ambulance, visit The Urgency Room for serious care 365 days year.
Expert Care by ER Physicians
Open daily, 8am – 10pm in Eagan, Woodbury and Vadnais Heights
Loading Comments. Please Wait...
Please login to post a reply.