Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families For Individuals & Families Shop for Plans Member Guide Member Guide Find a Doctor Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna

Brown Recluse Spider Bite

Conditions Basics

What is a brown recluse spider?

Brown recluseBrown recluse, violin, or fiddleback (Loxosceles) spiders are about 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) long with a dark violin-shaped mark on the combined head and midsection (cephalothorax). They are found most often in the south-central part of the United States and live in hot, dry, abandoned areas, such as wood or rock piles.

A brown recluse bite can be serious and may require immediate medical care.

What are the symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite?

Brown recluse spider bites don't always hurt right away. In fact, you may not know that you have been bitten until other symptoms appear. Symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite include:

  • Reddened skin that may be followed by a blister that forms at the bite site.
  • Mild to intense pain and itching for 2 to 8 hours following the bite.
  • An open sore (ulcer) with a breakdown of tissue (necrosis) that develops a week or more following the bite. This may take months to heal.

Some people have a severe, systemic (whole-body) reaction to brown recluse spider bites, including the rapid destruction of red blood cells and anemia (hemolytic anemia). Signs and symptoms include:

  • Fever and chills.
  • Skin rash all over the body with many tiny, flat purple and red spots.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Joint pain.

What should you do if you think you've been bitten by a brown recluse spider?

  • Remain calm.

    Try to stay relaxed.

  • Cool the bitten area.

    Apply a cool, wet cloth to the bite, or cover the bite with a cloth and apply an ice bag.

  • Do not apply a tourniquet.

    A tourniquet may cause more harm than benefit.

  • Identify the spider.

    Try to positively identify the spider, or try to take a picture of it.

A brown recluse bite can be serious and may require immediate medical care if you have severe symptoms throughout your body. Call your doctor if an open sore and necrosis develop. Necrosis is black, dead tissue.

How is it diagnosed?

A brown recluse spider bite is diagnosed through a physical examination and questions about the bite. You should be prepared to describe the spider, where and when the bite took place, and what you were doing at the time. (If you are able to safely capture and transport the spider, bring it with you to show your doctor.) Your doctor will ask what your main symptoms are, when they began, and how they have developed, progressed, or changed since the bite.

How is a brown recluse spider bite treated?

Treatment depends on how severe the bite is. For bites that:

  • Do not develop open sores, treatment includes applying a cold compress, elevating the bite area, and avoiding moving the bite area.
  • Cause an open sore (ulcer) and dead skin (necrosis), treatment includes removing the dead skin from the sore. This may involve follow-up and replacing the dead skin with new skin (skin grafts).

Hyperbaric oxygen therapyHyperbaric oxygen therapy may also be used for tissue damage from a spider bite.

Medicines that may be used include:

  • Pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs include naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

    Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because of the risk of Reye syndrome.Reye syndrome.

  • Antihistamines to help relieve itching.
  • Antibiotics, if an infection is present.

Medicine to counteract brown recluse spider venom is not available in the United States or Canada.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

© 2024-2025 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

Related Links

Page Footer

I want to...

Audiences

Secure Member Sites

The Cigna Group Information

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details Details