Brown recluse spider bite

[hippiechick]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_recluse_spider

I got bit by a brown recluse, I have been really sick this week. It is extremely painful and creates flu like symptoms. I got medical care after trying some herbal and home therapies. See the photo of me.....it looks awful, but feels much worse.

[opsec]

Keep us posted as to what medications they used on it and how long it takes to heal. What herbal/home therapies have you tried already?

[hippiechick]

I have been using echinacea and epson salt compresses, and  neosporin.  Am certainly open to some other suggestions?
At the clinic was prescribed cephalexin, prednisone,  and bactrum.....for a total of 12 pills per day. And I'm the one that always preaches, alternative health care. hahah....anyway sometimes you gotta go that route. With that many antibotics I  will be destroying the good stuff also anyone have any ideas other than yogurt to help restore my system?
The wound popped and drained today. It was horrible looking as pus and blood  drained. I just stood over the toliet at one point and let it flow. It flowed even down onto my leg calf. I felt much better and the pain greatly subsbided after it drained. The thing is terrible. It any of you get bit......go to the doctor immediately!!!!
I know  this is disgusting,  but I also know you all spend alot of time outside and want you to recognize the spider and the bite for future reference. The bite can be deadly in the elderly, children, and those already sick. I'm strong and healthy and although I spent several days on the couch feeling miserable I seem to be recovering well. I included a link earlier with photos of the spider....so watch out when your kids are playing outside.

[Atash Hagmahani]

Yeah, I know that one's nasty. Yow, how did it get you? Just ran into it outside?!

[hancocs]

Hippiechick,

Your right. With a bite like this you should seek medical attention asap. Your wound looks very infected and could cause some necrotic lesions. I hope they gave you Tetanus shot to. I have also heard of Ampicllin be used as an antibiotic for this. Are you running high fever at all? I hope they gave you a strong pain reliever, it looks very painful.

General rules for BR spider bite

After bite:

Apply ice to decrease swelling and pain
Elevate the area if possible above the heart
Wash area with warm soap and water
Avoid activity
Tylonal for pain

What not to do:


Do not apply heat it will accelerate tissue destruction.

No creams

Do not use suction to remove vernom

Do not use a torniquet

Their is no antivenon available in the US.

[Beeherder]

For restoring gut flora and fawna you could try a product called GoodBelly, sold by the quart at grocery and heallthfood stores. I like the mango flavor, tasty and effective. Hope you recover completely and quickly!!

Another idea, teaspoon or two of honey just before bed will help induce natural deep sleep for healthy recovery.

Bee Well

[opsec]

http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/HLC-Colon-izer-by-Pharmax-40Non-Returnable41_p_55.html

http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/HLC-High-Potency-Probiotic-POWDER-by-Pharmax-40Non-Returnable41_p_59.html

This is the best pro-biotic product I know of. I have used the second product with great success after running a course of antibiotics. It has an indefinite shelf life if kept in your freezer, two years if stored in the refrigerator, and 6 months if kept on the shelf. It looks to me like it would be good to use both of these together. I didn't know about the Colon-izer product then or I would have done that.

Hancocs,
    It sounds like Hippiechick had an abcess forming which ruptured to the outside. If that had burst internally, she would have been in a world of hurt. What do you think of the idea of lancing such a boil and then just manage the open wound with ABX ointment and gauze dressings until it heals? 

[hancocs]

Opsec,

Out on the boat here I generally don't like to lance things, it opens up a wound to a high risk of infection. But I wound like this should be very cloesly watch on a day to day basis. If the wound seem to be going internal and the body not able to fight it off, then you would have to consider lancning and draining. Bandages and dressing would have to be change often as to not let the drainage infect the wound. By the looks of thing on this wound I'm sure it will leave a scar.

Beehearder,

As a natural cure, would if be benefical to put honey directlly into the wound. I have seen some studies on this with remarkable results on open wounds and burns.

[Lady Lilya]

If breastmilk is available, that does miraculous things with open wounds. 

With that many antibotics I  will be destroying the good stuff also anyone have any ideas other than yogurt to help restore my system?

KEFIR KEFIR KEFIR!  Kefir.  It is so much more effective than yogurt.  Instead of a handful of different cultures, it has over 20.  When it comes to numbers of live organisms, the relationship between yogurt and kefir is like comparing millions to trillions. 

I make kefir.  It is so easy and cheap to do it yourself, and the quality is much better than what you can buy in stores.

If I had any spare grains right now, I would mail you some.  But I just shipped off the majority of my stash to a friend in Buffalo.  If you are interested, I can see if I can speed up their reproduction over the next few days.  I might know someone with extra grains that can mail you some.  Alternately, there are websites where you can search for people near you who have listed themselves as having kefir grains to share.  Otherwise, you can get them where I did.  Marilyn the kefir lady.  She mails them to you for $20 flat, mailed to her in cash.  She sends them out right away, and trusts you to mail her the money. 

[hippiechick]

Thanks for all the great advice. I have honey, so definely plan to try that one. Might try the goodbelly if I can find it.  Never made keifer, but would like to try. I am interested in some of those starts...I think the heal thyself web site has a way of getting those also, but would appreciate the lady's address or phone # to order if you don't mind sharing.
I doubt I will lance it as the infection has drained a lot of it's own already, and has several holes in the wound already for more drainage, I am keeping dressing on it.   I do agree that I am very fortunate that it drained itself instead of turning internal. Thanks for the Pharmax idea opsec. I think I have some of their probiotics somewhere. Need to search for them though...something I can start tonight. Then maybe I won't be awake in pain and drenched in sweat like last night. The sweat thing was probably a good thing though....my fever probably broke and I got rid of the cold chills at least.
Send more advice if you think of anything else!! This group continues to amaze me with the knowledge...Thanks for the caring concern.

[Beeherder]

Hi Hancocs,

re: honey on wounds, it has been used for thousands of years for just that. Most modern first aid kits have better choices.

The actual science is that the skin and honey interact to form hydrogen peroxide, a mild cleansing agent. If i had water and hydrogen peroxide I'd use that not the honey. If honey is what you have, i understand you want the wound completely covered, but doesn't need to be thick, your body heat will make it runny anyway. It could also provide a barrier to bacteria as honey is ph 4, so it is quite acidic. One of the reasons the inside of a healthy bee colony is so clean and free of nasties is this acidity and the propolis or bee glue.

Propolis from inside the bee hive is a good oral antibiotic, some even chew it for dental health. Very good for you stuff propolis but usually not for sale so here's another reason you want to be a beekeeper, pre or post TEOTWAWKI.

[hancocs]

I had bees quit awhile ago and enjoyed them very much. If I had a place to start bees again I would do it and join you in the Sisiterhood. That day may be coming soooooon. I hope.

[Ozark Lady]

I assume the spider bite is all well.

I dropped a cast iron skillet on my foot... it flipped in mid-air... the rim got me.  November 2010.
It laid my toe open, and kind of peeled the skin and rolled it under itself...  uh oh.

You know, I have milk kefir and sugar or water kefir... I don't like sugar or water kefir at all.  So, I tried soaking my foot in it twice a day.  I drank the milk kefir!

But, that toe healed right up, never infected, and not even a scar.  So I keep the water kefir for external use.

[opsec]

I didn't know there was different kinds of kefir. I know I can find kefir in the refrigerator at the health food store, but I imagine that's milk kefir.

[Ozark Lady]

Yes, there is milk kefir and water kefir.

They are both probiotics, but not both identical.

The milk kefir comes from grains that look something like cauliflower, but they feel like a sponge if you pick one up.  They actually taste like an olive to me.  They ferment milk and make a drink something between yogurt and buttermilk.

The water kefir grains, look like loose beads.  You feed them sugar, and dried fruit, they love hard water, and will really reproduce in water that is like mine... liquid rock!  Oddly they taste bland with a hint of sour.  Another name for these are Tibicos.  But they are kefir.

Both of these are used for making beverages, but you can eat the excess, they are very good for your gut!

Both of these have health benefits galore... just look them up online.