Does anyone know of any long term effects from Brown Recluse Spider bites? I had two bites on the leg about 2 inches apart in May 2007. After terrible pain and swelling and Dr. visits, all has been well until this week. Now I have the pain with very sore lumps where the bites occured but no swelling. My doctor said my body would adsorb the poison. Not sure what that leads to. I admit, I hate spiders more than ever.

Am I dreaming or what? No injuries on the leg since the bites. I never want to see another Brown Recluse! Gareth

Hello Gareth,

Brown Recluse bite wounds are known for returning even after it appears to have completely healed. One possible trigger of the recurrence is a bruise, scratch or other lesion near the previously wounded area. The wound can erupt in the same location as the original bite or in another area. The wounds can recur on a yearly cycle near the time of the year when the original bite occurred.

See http://www.brown-recluse.com/bitephotos.html for a photo of a bite wound in its 10th year of recurrence.

Tom
www.brown-recluse.com