Suspicious Spider Bites on LI, NY...Black Flesh Symptoms

Newsday ^ | 6/29/02

[DaughterofEve]

"In what experts say is a rare if not near-impossible occurrence on Long Island, at least three people have been diagnosed with brown recluse spider bites this week." "The clustering of three or four cases in one week left many skeptical."

[DaughterofEve]

Symptoms include:
"swollen welt and necrosis, or destruction of the tissue surrounding the bite, making the flesh black. "

This is very odd...I certainly hope they are testing for anthrax as well!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

If its a recluse thats the symptoms alright !

[DaughterofEve]

It's just that the article makes it sound so unlikely that it could be that particular species. Hey, I guess I should hope so, right! Although having those spiders around isn't such great news either!

Say, how do you happen to be so up on your spider bite info?

[The Great Satan]

This is what cutaneous anthrax looks like.

[kcvl]

Bite Symptoms
The severity of a person's reaction to the bite depends on the amount of venom injected and individual sensitivity to it. Bite effects may be nothing at all, immediate or delayed. Some may not be aware of the bite for 2 to 8 hours, whereas others feel a stinging sensation usually followed by intense pain if there is a severe reaction. A small white blister usually rises at the bite site surrounded by a large congested and swollen area. Within 24 to 36 hours, a systemic reaction may occur with the victim characterized by restlessness, fever, chills, nausea, weakness and joint pain. The affected area enlarges, becomes inflamed and the tissue is hard to the touch. The spider's venom contains an enzyme that destroys cell membranes in the wound area with affected tissue gradually sloughing away, exposing underlying tissues. Within 24 hours, the bite site can erupt into a "volcano lesion" (a hole in the flesh due to damaged, gangrenous tissue).

The open wound may range from the size of an adult's thumbnail to the span of a hand. The sunken, ulcerating sore may heal slowly up to 6 to 8 weeks. Full recovery may take several months and scarring may remain. Plastic surgery and skin grafts are sometimes required.

[DaughterofEve]

OK, now we need a pick of the brown recluse bite...and to know how they are looking in Stonybrook!

[brat]

Now thats frightening. Do you suspect that this is Anthrax rather than brown recluse?

[Uni-Poster]

Are the victims related, same house, neighborhood, work together, any connection at all?

[DaughterofEve]

After reading the article, apparently not! That's what makes it weirder. It says they are all from different parts of L.I. and does not imply any connection.

[per loin]

Very odd in several ways. No past history of the spider there, but the bites apparently occurred in widely separated areas of the island. Has some more common insect been modified to produce the poison?

[kcvl]

[xJones]

Brown recluses are serious little buggers. We have them in Texas and one bite will put you in the hospital. And your skin does rot around the wound.

[DaughterofEve]

WOW! What a shot! What in tarnation is/was that body part! Ewwwwwww!

[kcvl]

[Uni-Poster]

http://www.brownreclusespider. net/photo_gallery.htm

Recluse spider victim pics.

[DaughterofEve]

I think I'm going to wear more coverage in the garden from now on.

[The Great Satan]

Do you suspect that this is Anthrax rather than brown recluse?

No idea. I doubt it, but the symptoms sound similar.

[DaughterofEve]

I had no idea how bad it could be. Wow.

[kcvl]

Day 1

Day 3

Day 9

[kcvl]

Back of leg and calf...