Photo taken several weeks after the bite. Lesions are healing. In rare instances, the reaction can become systemic in as soon as 6 hours. A systemic reaction is characterized by fever, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, nausea, and vomiting. The majority of fatalities due to brown recluse bites are in children under the age of seven.
Death is an extremely rare occurrence.
Treatment First aid for someone who has been bitten by a brown recluse spider includes use of an ice pack to prevent or to reduce the swelling in the area where the bite occurred. Cooling the area helps to lessen tissue damage. Also, sanitizing the area with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol helps to prevent infection. Promptly seek medical attention. If the spider can be found, it should be collected and taken with the patient to the doctor to confirm the identity of the spider involved.