I am the first to admit, I am jaded. My experience has almost exclusively been of meeting people that were incorrectly diagnosed with spider bites that actually had Staphylococcal skin infections. This is why I was a little bit surprised to see this blurb in an article about the Brown Recluse spider about a woman who doesn’t believe the “bacteria bit” and is sure she was bitten by a spider.
A bacteria — staphylococcus aureus, which is resistant to penicillin-based antibiotics — could be the cause of many of the suspected spider bites. Knapp said the bacteria are found in the north state and can be picked up simply by touching a doorknob.
Cheryl Lam of Mount Shasta doesn’t buy the bacteria bit. She said she was bitten by a brown recluse in 1995 when she was on a riding lawn mower in Michigan, a state not known to have brown recluses.
“My life ended that day,” she said.
Lam said the bite started a cascade of medical problems that trouble her to this day. She has found some comfort on a Web site — www.highway60.com/mark/BRS — where people from all 50 states have posted stories about run-ins with the brown recluse.
Vetter, who has seen the site, said people have a need to believe that something more tangible than bacteria is the cause of their health problems.
“There really is a strong psychology thing going on here,” he said.
I have talked to our doctor about this several times, and she still stands by the fact that the Brown Recluse will carry the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and we do definitely have them here in Texas - but I am 100% sure, in our case, that an ingrown hair was the source of the infection, as I saw that infection fester up from the day I cut his hair and shaved his neck.
.gif)
26 responses so far ↓
chris gleeton // May 3, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I’m on the frontline related to bites of recluse spiders. i have notices both mrsa and spider bites are reported in great numbers. i have notice on some visit to homes of people that a bite was reported. misleading information has cause a public health hazard. i have found this species of spiders in several homes. after a person was told they have a boil and/or mrsa.we share information with the general public,schools/univ.,as well as medical facilities
chris a gleeton,spider bite expert-cmapsb
Christina Jones // May 3, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Hi Chris, thanks for taking the time to comment. So, are you saying that you think a lot of these “bites” are actually spider bites? Honestly, shortly after my husband got sick, I did get bitten by a spider - I saw the spider, and that thing swelled up into a boil, and I still have a scar from it. But it wasn’t MRSA, it did go away with no problem…
Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this subject, it was and still is a great subject of mystery and debate.
pam stewart // Jun 4, 2007 at 10:28 am
I believe I was bitten by a spider, though I did not see it rather felt a twing on the back of my leg.two hrs. later itching & swelling.after treatment of antibiotics it healed.It have had two recurrences of this in a two month period,not in the same spot but close to the original.Is this normal?I have been to the doctor more than I can say and have had blood tests.could it be something else? Thanks! Pam Stewart
LindaR // Jun 4, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Take a look at this bite case. The gentleman found the spider so we can assume his bite is from a BRS. His bite looks very similar to the other bites on our web site. (He also mentions Vetter.)
http://www.highway60.com/mark/brs/bite.asp?msg=2836
Look at the Necrosis case studies for other bites.
cathi // Jun 25, 2007 at 10:10 pm
My son was doing a construction job in New Hampshire last weekend, came home on Monday, due to swelling on the top of his foot. Felt he had been bitten by something. Swelling, pain up his leg to his groin, redness, fever. He went to the hospital every 5 hours for 2 days for IV anitbiotics. Then they admitted him. The “bite” area became black, then the area around was purple, and the rest of his foot was pink. A swab culture showed MRSA on the 3rd day in the hospital, so they discharged him. They never touched his foot, only antibiotics. He was then told to rinse with hydrogen peroxide twice a day. (remember, they had not treated his foot in 5-6 days ) As soon as the liquid touched the swollen white “boil” it opened and bloody pus came out. The next day, a hard white, something came out and left a hole almost to the bone. Now it is raw and doesn’t seem to be healing. He is still on oral antibiotics, but after seeing many similar pictures of results of the brown recluse spider, I’m even more concerned. Will the raw area continue to grow? or because the “somethings” came out does that mean it will heal now? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.
Nurse Finch // Jun 26, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Well, as a wound care nurse I can tell you that hydrogen peroxide is not standard care. It can injure healthy tissue after the initial injury and should not be used. Was the wound lanced and packed? It needs to be packed and changed daily. Perferably a topical prescription antibiotic (bactroban) or a silver dressing should be used also. I would recommed seeing a different practioner. There are great products that can assist along with the IV abx to heal his would. If you suspect it has traveled to the bone - he will need at least an xray and bone culture. If it has spread to the bone a surgeon will have to removed the affected bone. MRSA can seed the blood stream and travel. Just my two cents - inform yourself as quickly as possible.
Daren Jordan // Jul 12, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I was beten by a brown recluse at work , is there any legal ground that i my have.
Kelly // Sep 12, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I just want to say I was diagnosed with MRSA 3 years ago and it all started by going to the doctor for a brown recluse spider bite. These spiders got into my house somehow. I went through months of pain, boils, loss of work, and worse of all my 7 year old got MRSA too. We are ok now but that was the worse experience in the world. I really do believe the spider carries a bacteria and this eats the flesh away. I hope they find a cure for this as it is very upsetting and extremely scary to live through. I have no doubt these spiders are dangerous more than we know.
Jennifer Miracle // Sep 20, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I was bitten by 2003 ,brs, had a circular bruise simular to bulls-eye found in lymes.
Sick for one year following.
Four grandchildren M.R.S.A following,brs,bite.
My sister has Morgellons following red bullseye rash,lymes. Accidenly discovered I too have morgellons while ckecking out her microscope. We now have proof positive Morgellons is a nanobot infection. Public Beware this is just as real asbesto’s and various insects are caring it.
Liz // Oct 3, 2007 at 11:27 am
I live in Missouri and I was bitten by something approx. 4 days ago. Within the first day, a blister formed and drained, and I was left with a volcanic lesion for 2 days. Because it was itching, I put gauze over it to keep myself from being able to scratch it. It started turning purplish blue 2 days ago in the area, and I’m assuming that since I’ve kept dressing on it, whatever is in it that keeps draining has prevented it from getting worse. I cannot be 100% positive that it was a spider that bit me, but I can say it’s the only place I have it (or ever have for that matter), it hasn’t yet developed a huge boil, and it just continues to drain. I can say it’s likely as well, as I first noticed it shortly after leaving the basement area which is extremely dimly lit and we have TONS of spiders down there. It’s itchy and stinging constantly. So I decided to go to the doctor today and he could neither confirm or deny that it is a spider bite, as it looks much like one. He’s testing for staph infection now. My question is, how easily contracted would staph infection be if you had an open blister due to the initial spider bite on your leg? I’m surprised to read the spiders are actually carrying the stuff.
chris gleeton // Jan 6, 2008 at 12:24 am
Research continue in this battle of mrsa and spider bites. I’m finding recluse spiders in homes and facilities where a person has stated a bite has taken place. One was told he had a boil and there was no need to worry. There were several that was told it was a staph, even with the present of a spider capture and taken to the hosiptal.(very rare the spider is capture). I have visit homes were I have discovered recluse spider and no bite has occured(this has happen many of times). There are cases of mrsa and there are spider bites and we must treat them in that matter. thank-you
chris a geeton, arachnologist-cmapsb
chris gleeton // Feb 19, 2008 at 11:02 am
To understand the spread of mrsa and the differences between mrsa and spider bites, we do know how to detect mrsa and some means of treating it.
Inthe case of spider bites it’s completely different. Why? the subject if spider bites are tied to mrsa,there’s factors that are closely related. i want to share a quote from several doctors during research on spider bites to better inform the public as well as the medical community,unlike mrsa this quote stated “a person(s) may visit the doctor the day of the bite from a (recluse) spider, two days, two weeks and/or two months there is cure for this spider bite” this statement was made following a death from a spider bite in 1908, 1947 and 2006. This is the reason we must continue to understand both mrsa and spider bites. Information and web site like this one is very vital to the public and should be supported in every possible way.To understand being on the frontline is the work of the individuals of this site sharing and gathering of information on mrsa and other public health hazards related to this topic.
thank-you chris a gleeton,arachnologist-cmapsb
Shel // Jun 1, 2008 at 12:54 am
I was sleeping with a nest of 15 Brown Widow spiders under my bed. Not discovered until after I had been bite twice. My house was infested with these spiders, they were even in the cieling fan above my bed and dropping on my face at night. I was bit a total of 22 times over the course of a year. Finally I moved out of the house and the bites stopped. Each bite was the same. I have actual proof that these were spider bites because I found a small piece of the spiders “mouth” in the hole in the second bite. My body would initially respond to the bacteria by forming a protective hard shell around the bite. Days later it would swell up like a hot volcano the size of an egg. I would have to dig a hole into the center with sterilized needle and push light green and yellow pus out for 4-5 days. Then I would have take tweezers and yank the lime green stuff from the inside of the hole to get it out. It would cling tightly at first. At the bottom would be two dense small lime green pus balls that I would have to pull out of a 1 inch deep hole with tweezers. Each bite took about 10 days to subside. If I hadn’t intervened by lancing it, it would have taken much longer for the infection to get out. Yes it was extremely painful creating a hole with a needle. It had to be a large hole too, not just a needle size hole for the pus to escape so I would have to tear a larger hole by repeated stabbing at it. Two bites were severe and backed up into my body causing really bad swelling because I was not as successful at creating a hole that got to the infection, fever, and lymph node enlargement (my knee and my face). The areas where the most flesh and fat were bit left the biggest scars. One bite left a deep hole in my cheek. The bite on my upper chest did very little damage due to there being very little flesh there. These people are being bit by spiders and yes the spiders do carry the staph bacteria! It doesn’t matter what type of spider it is because my house had 3 species in it. Trust me, after being bit 22 times I am an expert on this now! I don’t know why, but spiders do carry the staph bacteria on thier ‘mouths’. This information needs to get out there. I have not been bitten by a spider for 2 years now since I moved to a new house. Even tenting my old house didn’t work, the spiders wee in the yard and I was bit 3 times after tenting on my butt when I sat down in my shorts! 3 huge scars remain on my butt, about 8 on my face, 4-5 on my legs, 1 on my neck, 10 in let armpit…thank goodness it’s over. The worst pain ever.
Dave // Sep 15, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I have to wonder if the real answer is that BRS carry MRSA. Here’s why:
We live in So. Ill. and have been trying to control BRS in our house. Last week, my 3-year old daughter woke up with a pus-filled blister covering her fingertip that was not there the night before.
We went right to the ER and told them that we suspected a BRS bite, because we had been seeing a lot of them lately (I was getting ready to spray). They drained the blister and gave her antibiotics. They took fluid for a culture.
We got a call a few days later that the culture came back with MRSA. We are starting to treat that.
But there is no explanation how MRSA would make a large blister appear instantly.
If BRS carry MRSA, that would explain both findings. It would also explain those folks who swear they were bitten by a spider.
Just a thought.
chris a gleeton // Sep 24, 2008 at 10:51 am
To understand spider bites,(especially the recluse species).Research has shown that (mrsa) on the skin of a person may be introduce to the wound from a spider bite.
Spider bites are debated in ways,Many spiders are mistaken for the recluse spiders.The research into spider bites by (Meras), I have notices in the state of Tn. and Ms., these spiders have been plentyful.Understanding frontline services, I spend many hours within confine spaces where the present of the recluse spiders(species properly identified).Yes bites have taken place.Some medical officals refuse to state spider bites as the medical condition.
Chris A Gleeton,Arachnologist-cmapsb
James // Oct 15, 2008 at 11:42 am
I was bitten by a BRS on my stomach and after the bite saw the half dead spider fall out of my t-shirt. Apparently it was in my shirt when I leaned against a wall. It was stuck between me the shirt and the wall and gave me a bite.
When I saw the spider fall out of my shirt I collected it in a glass. I live in the Washington, DC area and was surprised to identify it as a BRS. The bite didn’t immediately cause a serious problem, but after a few hours it manifested into a seriously painful bump. Three days passed until I went to the doctor who took a culture of the wound that initially opened up during the doctors visit. I brought the spider along for identification, but he didn’t seem interested in examining it.
The doctor called a few days later and informed me the infection was positively identified as MRSA from the culture. I believe that the MRSA bacteria is carried by the BRS or somehow introduced into the wound of any bite after being present on the skin.. The evidence is right before us. I believe more research needs to be done to identify the link between the two, but there is definitely a link beyond misdiagnoses.
I have been on antibiotics for several days now and the draining has slowed and the area of morbidity has decreased. I have not had my wound lanced and packed, but have been instructed by my PCP to go to the ER or a critical care center immediately should the drainage begin to increase.
chris a gleeton // Oct 17, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I can not understand why the medical community shy away from the people whose state a bite from the “recluse” spider. When a person present the spider for (Id), This matter should be investated. It’s very rare to catch the spider after a bite. Research has shown “mrsa” can be introduce to wounds. I will continue to share information about this species of spiders. I will share my findings with the public related to bites from spiders. I would like to share this information as related to my visit to the states of Tennessee and Mississippi, I have found this species of spiders pentyful during the seasonal change and the holiday season, the items stored in attics all year, creates great hiding places for these spiders.
thank-you Chris A. Gleeton,Arachnologist-cmapsb
Bill Roach // Oct 27, 2008 at 9:21 am
If I have a spiderbite that has caused an open wound, and it is draining. If I was to accidently scratch it and then touch someone can they get infected by it?
KATHY // Oct 30, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Unfortunately “spider bites” was the diagnosis for my daughter for 6-8 months before we found out it was MRSA. Be very wary
KATHY // Oct 30, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I also do not believe that spiderbites are the cause of MRSA. If that was the case, my daughter was bitten 15 times and the spiders only found my daughter tasty. Noone else in my house was bitten. There are 4 of us in the home.
James // Oct 30, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Kathy —
Since I was bit I have done alot of searching for info about spiders and MRSA. I have heard that if a MRSA wound heals over the necrotic area with MRSA still inside it can cause other eruptions in the same area as the first. People sometimes belive this is another bit when it is just a sympton of the original.
After being bit I have only seen one additional spider in my home are garage, but my neighbor has shown me several BRS in his garage and basement. He said he sometimes sees them in his living area but has never been bit.
With all of the info associating MRSA and spider bites I believe the is a link. I do not think it is in the venom, but maybe on their fangs or somehow introduced to a wound from the skin. The reason I say this is that MRSA usally does not by its self cause a wound. It can however infect a wound. I believe the spider is the agent causing the initial wound and the MRSA is introduced aided by the spiders fangs…..
Just my thoughts… Hope your daughter is better. My MRSA wound/bite threw me for a loop and im a 6′3 and 225 pounds man. I have gone crazy cleaning every crevis in our home to try to prevent my sons from getting a dose of what ever got me…
Nurse Finch // Oct 30, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Over the past several years working as a wound care RN I have had many patients with MRSA Skin infections. You can have it easily on the surface of your skin then have it introduced into your system through a bite or you can transfer it from your NOSE when you scratch. MRSA easily lives in our nose. Keep your hands clean and finger nail trimed. All wounds can reopen easily because of the fragile nature of new skin. This does not mean you have MRSA trapped under your skin. Only a culture can determine if you have reinfected (as listed above) Just keep some bactroban cream around if you are are a positive carrier (Most health professional are) If I get a scratch and it’s red hot painful and swollen I just slap some on every 12 hours. Clears right up.
Dave // Oct 30, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I am not trying to insinuate that every case of MRSA comes froma BR spider bite.
In our case, my three-year old daughter went to sleep with no discernable symptoms, and woke up with a blister the size of half of a large pea on her finger. We took her to the ER within three hours because we had seen a large number of BRS in our house recently. (We live in Southern Illinois, BRS are common, we have seen BRS in our house frequently, and we had an exterminator verify that the spiders we had seen were BRS.)
The ER cultured the fluid in the blister and found MRSA. Again, I am not suggesting that every MRSA case is due to BRS bite, but I have not seen an instance where a bacterial infection can raise a blister overnight. This was not a pustule, the fluid was mostly clear. I am not a medical professional, just a father of five.
Rick Mynatt // Dec 31, 2008 at 12:27 am
I was bitten by a brown recluse in May of 2007. Four days later I was admitted into the hospital and underwent emergency surgery, along with I.V. antibiotics in order to save my life. The doctor had to take my left leg because the spider was also carrying necrotizing fasciitis, a strain of flesh eating virus that had also gotten into my bloodstream. Needless to say, I really don’t like any spider now.
chris gleeton // Jan 28, 2009 at 11:51 am
I would like to follow-up on the issue of mrsa and the bites of recluse spiders.There’s so little known about the bites from this spider from a medical stand point. No one want to call a spider bite a bite, there is no lab test to identify the spider venom,there is no anti-venom for this species of spider.Your are ask to bring the spider with you to the hospital, when a bite has occured. There have been case where this has happen,inspite of have the crushed spider and it ’s (id), a person is told, it’s not a spider bite.these type actions is very misleading and create serious problems.Debates are good, but find the answer would be betterWe know mrsa, let know these spiders and their bites.
Chris A Gleeton,Arachnologist-cmapsb
Worried Mom in Dallas TX // Mar 4, 2009 at 11:56 am
My son’s father was diagnosed with a BRS bite 2 months ago and took the squashed BRS with him 4 days after he noticed the bite on his stomach was infected. He started antibiotics and has been dealing with the bite for months now. Recently he noticed a boil on his thigh (far away from the initial bite) which became infected and now has a hole the size of a quarter. He also has another boil on his back that has started. He went to the DR and the culture came back yesterday as MRSA. His girlfriend also has noticed a couple of boils two days ago and has MRSA as well. She was not bitten. My son who lives part time with his dad has not had any signs of MRSA. He has extreme Eczema on his fingers and knees so I am keeping him with me for awhile while both recoop. With my sons skin condition I am very worried. My sons father has been on topical steroids his entire life due to extreme eczema. He doesn’t work in a hospital or frequent gyms or play sports…so I am baffled by how he would have contracted MRSA if not by the spider bite. He has had really bad boils for years and they have not become infected or turned into necrosis as the case in his last few boils.
Leave a Comment