Sunday 28 December 2008

Brad's White-tailed Spider Bite!

Last night was crazy.  Around 12:30a, lil' Amelia scares us at our bedroom door, wanting to come sleep with us.  Then, around 3:30a, she wakes up kicking her legs frantically trying to relieve herself from the itchiness from those sand flea/pelican lice/or whatever bites that caused those sore boil like spots on her legs (see previous post).  I (Brad), got up, went down stairs to get the Paraderm (a soothing bite cream that has an anaesthetic) to coat her legs, got back to Milz and started applying it when one of these white-tailed bad boys comes out of our bed covers and bites me!

So, of course, it left the tell-tale sign of the large red blistery patch (as seen below)




nice, eh?!

11 comments:

The Blunck Family said...

That is a scary spider! How are you doing now? Did the bite get worse? Hope you are doing well.

Amanda Udy said...

That is nasty! Ouch!

Stephanie said...

That is just sick. That's all I have to say about that.

Kiersti said...

These images will ever haunt my dreams.....

Kendal and Alissa said...

That is so so awful!!!! I absolutely hate spiders and would die if this happened to me. That is the worst spider bite I have ever seen. Poor you and poor Amelia! Were you able to catch the spider? Did you kill it?

Unknown said...

WOW. Every Aussie missionary's worst nightmare. Everyone talked about it, now you've lived it Elder Vilson!

Brittney said...

Wow Brad, that is absolutely disgusting. I too will be haunted forever in my dreams. I hate spiders. Other than that, how are you guys doing? Hope you are enjoying the New Year already.

Andy

Brittney said...

Wow Brad, that is absolutely disgusting. I too will be haunted forever in my dreams. I hate spiders. Other than that, how are you guys doing? Hope you are enjoying the New Year already.

Andy

Ross & Robin Wilson Family said...

This is Brian:
Trace the outline of the redness with a pen/ permanent marker. If it gets substantially bigger, you need to go to your Dr. Also, do NOT pop the blisters unless your Dr does it. Cover with a loose (preferably sterile) gauze dressing and watch for pus/ drainage. If it becomes more painful, or more nasty looking, go to your Dr. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Just go.
So, in summation: if it changes in any way, shape, form or smell, go get it looked at, otherwise it should probably get better on it's own in several weeks.

Not that your arm could fall off, but you could potentially lose a chunk out of it...

Ross & Robin Wilson Family said...

Brian (yet again),
OK, you shouldn't develop any symptoms worse than you already have (painful lesion with some erythma to the surrounding tissue)
Did you collect the spider? Or is it still running loose in your apt?
On further reading, most symptoms should be completely resolved by 12-14 days, if not sooner.
http://www.avru.org/index.html has some information, but not much (Australian Venom Research Unit).
They recommend getting a tetanus booster.
My opinion on that is "meh" If your symptoms get worse or not better, you should go see your Dr. You can bring it up then.
Any more questions just lemme know.

-Brian

Ross & Robin Wilson Family said...

Here I am again, you're going to be sick of me...
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/White_tailed_spider?OpenDocument

First aid for a white tailed spider bite
Always try to keep the spider for identification purposes if you have been bitten. First aid suggestions to treat a white tailed spider bite include:

* Apply an icepack to help relieve swelling
* See your doctor if the skin starts to blister or ulcerate.

Where to get help

* Your doctor
* Australian Venom Research Unit Tel. (03) 8344 7753
* The Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association Tel. (03) 8662 5333 website: www.aepma.com.au

-brian