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I don't know what other symptoms were present - with, for example, a black widow spider bite, there should have been nausea, stomach cramps and/or stiffness in the area for example.

I have found a site where you can look up info on many animal bites and there are some 'interesting' pics too!

http://medlineplus.gov/

Wow Jazil, that bite sure looks nasty! It would be very interesting to find out what kind of spider (or thing) caused that.


I think bucky suggested the link thing. I was going to try and find you the contact details of the Arachnologist at UCT, but no luck yet. I have sent an e-mail, but no response of any value yet.

Sorry it was bucky who suggested the link thing your right, it was you LL for the contact at UCT..... apologies to bucky

I am not sure of the symptoms TAbs, except for very severe pain and some stiffness I think. Not sure about the nausea. Thank you for that site, am busy looking it up now.

Nasty! I've only seen a spider bite resembling this one once. IIRC the culprit was a sac spider but I don't recall details. It's been a few years but it seemed to look very similar.

No problem , after looking at them , its a good thing its only a link lol .

Looks spider bitey .

Word of warning on bites , I know somebody that lost a toe due to scorpions laying eggs in it , and when they hatch they apparently eat in there still , so his toe went a bit off .

So if you arent sure of a bite looking iffy , get to a doctor .

My son was bitten by a spider over the weekend.
There was nothing dramatic, but there is a lump on his neck that looks like a gaint sized boil, without a yellow head.
He did find a spider which is described as, "little spider, the most common spider, apart from daddy long legs".
Any idea what it could be? ... and any way to make it disappear?

MM, if you think or are reasonably positive its a spider, go see a doctor, my son of above bum spider bite, started looking like a boil, but very sore and painful too. Dont mess around. Willy was on antibiotics for it, it, the massive hole he had from bite, is great now, cant see it much, (well dont look at his bum much anyways!) but dont mess with it, take him to a doc.

We dont exactly have an arachnologist at UCT...the closest was Lorenzo Prendini at the Percy Fitz - but even he was/is a scorpion man. his old email is lprendin@botzoo.uct.ac.za and may still get his mail forwarded from that address (wouldnt bet on it)

Your best bet would be Charlie Haddad at the university of the freestate haddadcr.sci@mail.uovs.ac.za

arachnology is not one of uct's specialities, if u got a rat or limpet problem u know who to call

Thanks both of you.
Yes Jazz, it looks pretty much like a spider bite to me. It is very inflamed and nasty. I will send him to the doctor today as it is showing no sign of getting better.

I was bitten by an un-identified spider on my arm when I was a kid. The pain started soon afterwards and got steadily worse until I could hardly move my arm.

The next day my legs starting aching. I could hardly walk for 2 days.

Cleared up after 3 days.

The biggest problem ,If it wasnt very venemous of course ,is the risk of secondary infection due to bacteria on the fangs .

Jazil, I have a bite that looks exactly like your's right now. I went to the doctor 2 days ago and they just gave me two kinds of antibiotics. They told me to go straight to the E.R. if it the bite doesn't show improvement in 48 hours.

I've been taking the medicine and, thankfully, the pain has subsided. But I'm not sure if my wound is actually getting better or worse.

Have you learned anything further? I just want to know if I should wait it out, or should I send myself to the E.R. now.

Thanks in advance!

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Ok, I just realized that this thread is a few years old and it was Jazil's kid who got the same spider bite as me. I guess I was panicking when I posted.

Still, I would really appreciate any help.

Hi Folks
First... unless you see a spider bite you, it's difficult to diagnose a spider bite with a high degree of accuracy.

Second... I have every respect for the medical profession BUT they seriouly lack training in the identification of arthropod bites and stings. There are so many animals that cause necrotic lessions, which are often diagnosed as Violin spider bites evern though Violin spiders do not occur in that area.

Third... The emails you get regarding spider bites are all bogus rubbish. Ignore them. Violin spider bites are very rare in southern Africa even though the spiders are common in some areas. They do occur in houses in certain areas of southern Africa but generalyl speaking the are extremely rare in houses.

Fourth... Medical first line treatment a spider bite (or any other arthropod bite or sting) is often very easy and simple. As soon as you suspect you have been bitten, keep the bite site clean using antiseptics and chaning the dressing on a daily basis. Antibiotics may be neccessary in some cases. Pre-existing medical conditions may complicate any kind of bite or sting. Diabetics have compromised immune system and suffer from septicemia and a reduced immune system. Understand your medical conditions and understand how it can be affected. Having said this... when in doubt ALWAYS get professional medical advice.

Kind regards
ScorpionKing

Conservation through education

A friend of mine staying in the West Rand have some problems with violin spiders that has "bitten" 3 of the 4 family members. Is there any deterrent that one can use or advice I can give him?