[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.

[arthurus]

Full recovery may take several months

Full recovery may not occur at all. There was a local lady who got bitten by a brown recluse several years ago who still has neurological symptom.

[lentulusgracchus]

Ten or twelve years ago, during the off-season, a defensive back for the Houston Oilers got a bite from a recluse in Louisiana while scaling a tree to retrieve a ball or frisbee his kids had lodged in the tree......he barely noticed the bite at the time, which was on his thigh. Later, his thigh swelled massively, and he nearly lost the leg. Of course, his overall conditioning was badly affected, too.