Resolved question:
HI i have been bitten by a spider. I have been to the doctor and she has given me keflex. It is still getting worse. It is almost like the skin is being eaten away, it is very sore and infected. Should i wait and see if the antibiotics work or should i go to the hospital for them to check. not feeling 100% either. A bit nauseous and sometimes a bit dizzy. thanks
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Internal Medicine Specialist
Hello. Thank you for posting the query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
The good thing is that most spider bites lead to spontaneous recovery and there is no such specific medicine or remedy. The patient is given supportive treatment as you have been given. Did you clean the area immediately, after the bite? Did you apply ice packs on the lesion? Applying ice pack leads to a faster recovery.
Normally the only manifestation in a spider bite is local redness, inflammation, pain, and itching. You have to monitor the lesion for 24 hours. Progressive worsening needs urgent medical care. If you develop some other symptoms like muscular spasms, difficulty in breathing, high fever, feeling of a lump in throat, profuse sweating, e.t.c then you have to consult the local physician to rule out possibilities of anaphylaxis. In your case since you're saying that it is progressively getting worse, i feel, you should go and consult the doctor once again to rule out severe allergic manifestations. For relieving pain, we prescribe OTC tylenol. Try applying ice pack on the lesion and see if the swelling subsides. Or else it is better to get yourself checked once again. The only major issue is anaphylaxis and it has to be ruled out. Since you have already taken Keflex, development of an infection is not likely.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards
hi i am going to upload a photo of the bite. i am in Australia and we have a lot of venemous spiders. my knee is starting to get a bit stiff as the bite is on my calf muscle. i didn't put ice on it actually happend about a week ago and getting worse
Hello. I got the image.
The lesion looks very infected. Since it has been a week already, anaphylaxis and other severe manifestations can be ruled out completely. Did the doctor put you on any antibiotic prophylaxis? Have you been taking Keflex or was it only one shot? Because if you have been taking the antibiotic, this should not have happened. Please apply Polymyxin/Bacitracin ointment topically on the lesion. You can also take tab clartitin ( Loratidine ) if there is excessive itching in the area.
If you're not taking any antibiotic i will advise you to take Tab. Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for the next 7 days. Tetracyclines are very good in treating the infection associated with such wounds.
I recommend you still get it evaluated by a local dermatologist since its been there for almost a week now.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards