Brown recluse spider bite: Difference between revisions

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==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
[[File:MPX2157 synpic16260.png|thumb|Brown recluse spider bite, day 3.]]
[[File:MPX2157 synpic16261.png|thumb|Brown recluse spider bite, day 4.]]
[[File:MPX2157 synpic16262.png|thumb|Brown recluse spider bite, day 5.]]
[[File:MPX2157 synpic16263.png|thumb|Brown recluse spider bite, day 6.]]
[[File:MPX2157 synpic16264.png|thumb|Brown recluse spider bite, day 9.]]
[[File:MPX2157 synpic16265.png|thumb|Brown recluse spider bite, day 10.]]
*Bite is initially painless
*Bite is initially painless
*Mild reaction (most common)
*Mild reaction (most common)
**Mild erythematous lesion that later becomes firm and heals without scar
**Mild erythematous lesion that later becomes firm and heals without scar
*Severe reaction
*Severe reaction
**Begins with mild-severe pain several hrs after bite accompanied by erythema and swelling  
**Begins with mild-severe pain several hours after bite accompanied by erythema and swelling  
**Hemorrhagic blister then forms surrounded by vasoconstriction-induced blanched skin
**Hemorrhagic blister then forms surrounded by vasoconstriction-induced blanched skin
**By day 3 or 4 hemorrhagic area may become ecchymotic
**By day 3 or 4, hemorrhagic area may become ecchymotic
***Leads to "red, white, and blue" sign (erythema, blanching, ecchymosis)
***Leads to "red, white, and blue" sign (erythema, blanching, ecchymosis)
**By end of first week ecchymotic area may become necrotic with eschar formation
**By end of first week, ecchymotic area may become necrotic with eschar formation
*Systemic effects (rare)
*Systemic effects (rare)
**Occur predominantly in children 24-72hr after the bite
**Occur predominantly in children 24-72hr after the bite
**Include nausea/vomiting, fever, arthralgias, DIC, rhabdo, renal failure
**[[Nausea/vomiting]]
**[[Fever]], [[arthralgia]]
**[[DIC]]
**[[Rhabdo]]
**[[Renal failure]]


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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*Definitive diagnosis is achieved only when the biting spider is positively identified
*Definitive diagnosis is achieved only when the biting spider is positively identified
*Labs
*Labs
**May be remarkable for hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, and hematuria
**May be remarkable for [[hemolytic anemia|hemolysis]], hemoglobinuria, and [[hematuria]]
**Coagulopathy may be present (elevated fibrin split products, decreased fibrinogen concentrations, and a positive [[D-dimer]])
**[[Coagulopathy]] may be present (elevated fibrin split products, decreased fibrinogen concentrations, and a positive [[D-dimer]])
**Increased PT and PTT
**Increased PT and PTT


==Management==
==Management==
*Local wound care and tetanus prophylaxis
*Local wound care and [[tetanus prophylaxis]]
*[[Antibiotics]] are indicated only if signs of infection exist; secondary infections are uncommon
*[[Antibiotics]] are indicated only if signs of infection exist; secondary infections are uncommon
*Although some texts recommend Dapsone, it has been shown to be of limited benefit and is associated with hemolysis (in G6PD patients) and [[methemoglobinemia]]
*Although some texts recommend [[dapsone]], it has been shown to be of limited benefit and is associated with hemolysis (in G6PD patients) and [[methemoglobinemia]]


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
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==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Envenomations, bites and stings]]
*[[Spider bites]]


==External Links==
==External Links==

Latest revision as of 13:26, 29 May 2022

Background

Brown recluse range (yellow area)
Brown recluse
  • Brown violin shape on cephalothorax (fiddleback)
  • In Southern midwestern US
  • Loxosceles family

Mechanism

  • Venom contains variety of cytotoxic enzymes, principally Hyaluronidase and Sphingomyelinase-D, which cause a necrotic wound
    • Hyaluronidase: facilitates the penetration of the venom into tissue but does not induce lesion development
    • Sphingomyelinase-D: causes necrosis and lesion formation by initiating the release of pro-inflammatory mediators (thromboxanes, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and neutrophils)

Clinical Features

Brown recluse spider bite, day 3.
Brown recluse spider bite, day 4.
Brown recluse spider bite, day 5.
Brown recluse spider bite, day 6.
Brown recluse spider bite, day 9.
Brown recluse spider bite, day 10.
  • Bite is initially painless
  • Mild reaction (most common)
    • Mild erythematous lesion that later becomes firm and heals without scar
  • Severe reaction
    • Begins with mild-severe pain several hours after bite accompanied by erythema and swelling
    • Hemorrhagic blister then forms surrounded by vasoconstriction-induced blanched skin
    • By day 3 or 4, hemorrhagic area may become ecchymotic
      • Leads to "red, white, and blue" sign (erythema, blanching, ecchymosis)
    • By end of first week, ecchymotic area may become necrotic with eschar formation
  • Systemic effects (rare)

Differential Diagnosis

Envenomations, bites and stings

Evaluation

  • Definitive diagnosis is achieved only when the biting spider is positively identified
  • Labs
    • May be remarkable for hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, and hematuria
    • Coagulopathy may be present (elevated fibrin split products, decreased fibrinogen concentrations, and a positive D-dimer)
    • Increased PT and PTT

Management

  • Local wound care and tetanus prophylaxis
  • Antibiotics are indicated only if signs of infection exist; secondary infections are uncommon
  • Although some texts recommend dapsone, it has been shown to be of limited benefit and is associated with hemolysis (in G6PD patients) and methemoglobinemia

Disposition

  • Typically discharge home

See Also

External Links

References