The diagnosis and treatment of brown recluse spider bites

Abstract

We reviewed our experience with 95 patients who carried the diagnosis of brown recluse spider bite between 1983 and 1986 and identified a reference group of 17 with confirmed bites. Eight men and seven women, average age 32 years, presented within 33 hours following the bites. The most common symptoms were pain, pruritus, malaise, chills, sweats, and rash. Patients were randomized into three treatment groups: dapsone, brown recluse spider antivenom, or combination therapy. All patients were treated with erythromycin. If two patients with very severe lesions were excluded, patients in all groups healed their wounds in an average of 20 days. A comparison of our treatment was attempted with all other bites previously confirmed in the literature, but historical data were incomplete and no conclusions could be drawn.