Spider bite; I'm just being paranoid right?!
Question: Spider bite; I'm just being paranoid right.?
First off, I live in New Mexico.
My house isn't the cleanest of houses on my block [at all] and despite our efforts to clean it gets dirty quickly.
Anyways, last week I got a spider bite behind my ear (alittle above behind the ear lobe). At first it felt really tender and it was reddish, it had no pain. I put Alchohol, Kalamine Lotion, and Tea Tree Oil on it in that order on the day I got it, and that's about all I used (expecting it to be gone by now).
But it's been a week now and that area is kind of numb and feels soft, it maintains it's redness. The size of the affected area has reduced considerably. Should I be worried.? I know this is probably just nothing and I alllwayyyssss over exaggerate with worry when it comes to health problems like these, but what are some things I can do to get rid of it and so it doesn't become infected.? If you answer, I will love <you3Health Question & Answer
My house isn't the cleanest of houses on my block [at all] and despite our efforts to clean it gets dirty quickly.
Anyways, last week I got a spider bite behind my ear (alittle above behind the ear lobe). At first it felt really tender and it was reddish, it had no pain. I put Alchohol, Kalamine Lotion, and Tea Tree Oil on it in that order on the day I got it, and that's about all I used (expecting it to be gone by now).
But it's been a week now and that area is kind of numb and feels soft, it maintains it's redness. The size of the affected area has reduced considerably. Should I be worried.? I know this is probably just nothing and I alllwayyyssss over exaggerate with worry when it comes to health problems like these, but what are some things I can do to get rid of it and so it doesn't become infected.? If you answer, I will love <you3Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Because the ear is made of cartilage the reaction to a spider bite is usually a little different there then normal. From what you described you can most likely rule out a black widow or brown recluse bite (they are painful!!). Your concern will be infection which is a lot more common on and near the ear then in other areas. Since you say that the redness is reducing the area is probably not infected.
Take to following steps twice daily to alleviate discomfort and reduce the chances for infection:
- wash area with soap and water
- hold a hot washrag to area for 10 minutes
- mix a beta dine solution (1 part beta dine 3 parts water) measure in capfuls....you won't need much.
- let it dry 2-3 minutes and then wash off
- put a little neosporin or antibacterial ointment on it.
A spider bit is infected if:
1) the red area becomes larger, swollen, or painful
2) the area drains pus
If your bite becomes painful, gets larger instead of smaller, or drains pus call your doctor right away (don't worry about looking foolish). Due to the area of the bite antibiotics are needed sooner then in other areas. Health Question & Answer
Take to following steps twice daily to alleviate discomfort and reduce the chances for infection:
- wash area with soap and water
- hold a hot washrag to area for 10 minutes
- mix a beta dine solution (1 part beta dine 3 parts water) measure in capfuls....you won't need much.
- let it dry 2-3 minutes and then wash off
- put a little neosporin or antibacterial ointment on it.
A spider bit is infected if:
1) the red area becomes larger, swollen, or painful
2) the area drains pus
If your bite becomes painful, gets larger instead of smaller, or drains pus call your doctor right away (don't worry about looking foolish). Due to the area of the bite antibiotics are needed sooner then in other areas. Health Question & Answer
It could be soft due to inflamation if it is healing it should be okay and can take weeks to fully heal. If you are worried get it checked at the doctor.Health Question & Answer
um it might be infected see a doctor if it gets anyworse or maybe its just irritated because of all the stuff you put on it.Health Question & Answer
If you are sure it was a spider, you may want to get it checked. I was nailed on the elbow last year. Was a really toxic bite - agony, arm swelled up almosr 3x its normal size. Went to the doc - they told me it was gout (idiots) After I explained it was a spider bite, I was given some stuff for swelling and infection.
Keep an eye on it - or a mirror :-)
If the skin darkens or it gets painful, see a doctor. Many ground dwellers (trap door, etc.) have poisons that can dissolve tissue.Health Question & Answer
Keep an eye on it - or a mirror :-)
If the skin darkens or it gets painful, see a doctor. Many ground dwellers (trap door, etc.) have poisons that can dissolve tissue.Health Question & Answer
Hi there Spidey!
Naw, just kidding. Our skin get reddish and irritated because there's foreign protein (in this case, maybe some of the toxin from spider gets under your skin) in ur skin and your anti-histamine is working against it.
There's not much of blood network around our ear (i know there's capillaries) so it might take a little bit longer. Plus, if the spider is poisonous, perhaps you won't be here now and you'll have your ear amputated.
Since the redness is getting away, worry not. You will be fine. Just, don't rub and scratch it that often!!!! I believe that is why your ear is still red after so long!Health Question & Answer
Naw, just kidding. Our skin get reddish and irritated because there's foreign protein (in this case, maybe some of the toxin from spider gets under your skin) in ur skin and your anti-histamine is working against it.
There's not much of blood network around our ear (i know there's capillaries) so it might take a little bit longer. Plus, if the spider is poisonous, perhaps you won't be here now and you'll have your ear amputated.
Since the redness is getting away, worry not. You will be fine. Just, don't rub and scratch it that often!!!! I believe that is why your ear is still red after so long!Health Question & Answer