Itsy-Bitsy Spider???
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
September 1, 2007 3:22pm CST
I've always been terrified of spiders, I don't care if they're little or big, I don't CARE how many times I'm told "They wont't hurt you!" Well, wanna BET they won't? My daughter's neighbor, a young man with several small kids, was bitten on his upper-thigh by a spider about a week ago. It was just a small bite mark at first, then it started bruising and spreading all over his leg. He waited three or four days before having it looked at...WHY, I sure have not clue...and now he's in the hospital on I.V. fluids and anti-biotics, and the decision will be made later today )Saturday) on whether or not to amputate his leg at the hip! I don't know this gentleman personally but I know his little boy pretty well as he's a friend of my grandkids and I've met his wife and seen their infant baby. I haven't talked to my daughter today so I don't know what the latest news is but PLEASE, all of you myLotters, don't ever take for granted that a spider isn't going to hurt you...ANY bite, for that matter! They have no idea what kind it was; I'm thinking maybe a brown recluse since I've heard so many horror stories about them. Is that scarey or what? Please include this man and his young family in your prayers if you're inclined to pray. Thanks, and take care, everyone!
Annie
2 people like this
2 responses
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
1 Sep 07
Sounds like a brown recluse spider. I think the thing to do is to know the types of spiders in your geographical area. In some places where it is warmer all year, you are bound to have more venomous spiders. In other places, they may be fairly rare.
It would be a public service if someone printed up pictures of all the common spiders in an area so people could be aware of what is dangerous and what isn't. It might save some lives too.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
1 Sep 07
That's an excellent idea! I'm in Pennsylvania and it's funny but some people have said there are no brown recluse spiders around here but others have said there are, and I've heard of other people being bitten by what they'd believed to be one and with the same symptoms only not as severe as this poor guy. Plus, they thankfully didn't wait as long to seek medical treatment. That idea about printing up pictures is really worth looking into. Thanks! Any spider experts here on myLot? If so, I'd love to see your comments and information because to me all spiders are horrible frightening creatures and I couldn't identify one from another if I had too...LOL
Annie
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
1 Sep 07
Brown recluse spiders aren't originally from chilly spots like PA and New England where I am from but they can still be found here. They have come in on shipments of fruits and such from more tropical zones. Brown recluse can end up living in buildings, they invade and live in suspended ceilings, etc.
If there was such a pamphlet for people, or given out at schools, then everyone would be a little more informed and a little more relaxed. They send home other informational things, why not a spider pamphlet?
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
30 Sep 07
Check at state fairs whenever they are held in your area. That is where I have found information about venomous spiders and snakes. Another source would be County Extension offices, or state agricultural colleges. I am of course from a more rural state, maybe not all states have these kinds of agencies.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
23 Sep 07
Prayer for the friend, of course. I will also share that I have a friend, from church choir that has a brown recluse bite. Has had it almost two weeks. He never saw the spider, he does not know when he was bit, exactly, but as soon as he noticed it, he was in the ER getting treatment.That being said, each time I pray for my friend, I will pray for yours as well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
30 Sep 07
My friend is better as well. It can leave very serious permanent damage, even with treatment.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
30 Sep 07
Thanks so much for your prayers, everyone's or someone's prayers anyway must have worked because he's fine now, the antibiotics finally took hold and he's all better and back home. I can't say it enough to anyone reading this...NEVER ignore a simple bite or something you even suspect may be a bite.
Annie
1 person likes this
