Repeated spider bites

[rsdunicorn]

I was bit several years ago by a brown recluse spider in the palm of my left hand. Now ever few months I keep getting bit in the exact same spot in the middle of the night while I'm sleeping. For a while tea tree oil worked to heal quickly and control the buring and itching, but it is not working anymore. Each time I get bit the symptoms seem to get worse. The burning, swelling, itching and this latest time, headaches and muscle spasms. I don't know what to do or where to turn. Is there a doctor that specializes in spider bites and venom? Is there an anti-venom that cam stop this from happening? My pest guiy who I faithfully have come every 3 months sways recluse venom never leaves the human body and other spiders can smell it and their predatory nature kicks in and they basically say since you didn't die the last time we are going to try to kill you again and since they can smell it strongest at the site of the bite, they tend to bite in the same place. I never heard this before but he sounded extremely adimate about this. I need any help or direction to turn.

[GuitarRox]

Hi there. So, I think you are being given wrong information. Brown recluse spider venom only stays in the body for 3 to 5 days max. Then it is gone. Not sure why your exterminator is giving you such wrong info. And also, he's not doing a great job making your home spider free which absolutely can be done. Even if you had an infestation, a professional can clear it out. There are very effective pesticides as well as methods to use them, especially in entrances to the home like gaps, etc. Also, obviously, wood piles or yard  debris. The article I'm going to link talks about how to get rid of brown recluse. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pest-control/reviews/how-to-get-rid-of-brown-recluse-spiders#:~:text=Fortunately%2C%20many%20broad%2Dspectrum%20pesticides,%2C%20liquid%2C%20and%20dust%20forms.  It can be done! Annoying this keeps happening. It shouldn't.  

[rsdunicorn]

I appreciate your response and what you are saying is what I have always believed, however, we are not seeing a bunch of spiders around. But the fact remains that I keep getting bit in the exact same spot on the palm of my left hand. There has to be some correlation there. Normally you get a bite on the hand, then the leg, then the arm, etc. But it is the exact same spot every single time.

[GuitarRox]

The thing is, brown recluse spiders are not the type of spider that pursue a person. They ONLY bite if you disturb THEM. I'm not sure what you think is happening really is. I'd go to your doctor or even better a dermatologist and have the area looked at. I would almost guess this is not what you think. Let me know

[rsdunicorn]

I went to a dermatologist today. I showed the pics of the last 2 possible bites with the purple fluid filled blisters. He wants to take cultures when/if it occurs again. He states while it is unlikely a brown recluse has bitten me 6 times (which I only assumed the 2 times I actually saw the spider), it could be possible that other spiders are smelling residual venom in the tissue itself and as I sleep I am swatting at them or the like. He has no clue what else it could be. The only option is to get in within 24 hrs of next occurence to sample the fluid now that I am an official patient. He also gave me the name of a doctor who has more knowledge in the area of treating spider bites to see if he would be willing to consult on the case. Will keep this updated for others in need.

[rsdunicorn]

So I has another episode of this and went to the dermatologist. They did a culture and a biopsy in 2 spots. The culture was negative for any fungus or bacterial growth. The biopsy came back with some sort on "inference response", whatever that means. But what she told me was it was similar to that of a drug induced reaction. They called it "Bullous Fixed Drug Eruption". Apparentlly this can happen from a medication you have taken or are currently taking. Very commonly NSAIDs, but can also be different cycline antibiotics and some herbal supplements. I take Ibuprofen daily, which I need for my inflammation. And apprently it is very common that the itching, burning, pain and some times blistering can occur at a spot that the derma has been interrupted or broken before, like a previous spider bite spot. And being that I have been bite at least 2 times that I know of for a fact in this spot, this is most likely why it occurs here. And it is very common to reoccur in the same spot over and over if you continue to take the medicine. She suggested that I don't stop the Ibuprofen just yet, but to try this topical ointment immediately when I start to feel the sensation to mitigate the issue. It's called Clobetasol Ointment .05%. If that doesn't keep it at bay, then I will have to stop the medication. Now I just have to wait and see if I respond to the ointment next time, and if n ot, I will stop the Ibuprofen. Hopefully this helps someone else going through mysterious bite like blisters in the same spot over and over.