Spider bites: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:33, 11 March 2015

Abdominal hairs may be flicked a short distance when threatened
1. Rarely penetrate human skin but can imbed deeply into conjunctiva and cornea
Bites can be painful but systemic symptoms other than fever are unusual

Red eye and pain after handling a tarantula necessitates an ocular exam
1. Hairs may be difficult to detect on slit lamp
Treatment is surgical removal of hairs and topical steroids

	Black widow spiders (BWS) are found in the temperate regions of six continents and are widespread through North America, including the western United States (California included).
	Signs and symptoms associated with BWS (e.g. diffuse pain, muscle cramps, tachycardia, and hypertension) usually develop begin within 30 to 120 minutes of the envenomation.
	After antivenom for BWS is administered, symptoms typically resolve within 30 minutes, with complete relief within 2 hours.
	Brown recluse spider (BRS) envenomation is most common in west coast states, such as California.
	Most bites from BRS have a benign clinical course, but necrosis with induration and eschar formation may occur, and systemic effects, such as fever, chills, headache, malaise, arthralgia, and myalgias progress after more than 24 to 48 hours and resolve by 72 to 96 hours post bite.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 *[[Brown recluse spider bite]]
 *[[Black widow spider bite]]
-===Background===
+*[[Tarantula spider bite]]==
-*Red hourglass on otherwise black spider
-===Mechanism===
-Envenomation causes release of acetylcholine and norepinephrine from the nerve terminals causing muscle cramps, tachycardia and hypertension
-=== Clinical Features ===
-#Local
-##Pinprick sensation; then increasing local pain that may spread to entire extremity
-##Erythema appears 20-60 min after the bite
-##Pain begins to abate after several hours and disappears by 2-3d
-#Systemic
-##Muscle cramp-like spasms in large muscle groups (although exam rarely reveals rigidity)
-##Pain becomes generalized
-###Severe abdominal wall musculature pain and cramping
-##HA, n/v, diaphoresis, photophobia, dyspnea
-##A-fib, myocarditis, priapism, and death are rare
-=== Treatment ===
-#Pain and muscle spasms
-##Opiods and benzos
-#Systemic illness
-##Antivenin
-###Consider for:
-####Children
-####Pregnant women
-####Elderly
-=== Disposition ===
-#Consider admission for:
-##Symptoms of moderate envenomation
-##Pregnant women
-##Children
-##Pts w/ preexisting cardiovascular disease or HTN
-==Tarantula==
 ===Clinical Features===
 #Abdominal hairs may be flicked a short distance when threatened