What to do in an emergency?

[Joolz]

Ok After my last visit where I got stung 80 times by fire ants and had an allergic reaction to them.. (those of you who dont know- dont panic- it is very rare!!! )
I wish to be prepared - call me a pessimist hey!!! [msncry]Im being well prepared!!![msnwink]
So If we should get bitten by a brown recluse or black widow what do we do????? and how do we know what kind of spider bit us?
Presumably these are things that they brief all schoolkids on in US?? Like what todo if there's a hurricaine- Ive read enough about that one though.....
are there any answers to my spider question 1st... then are there any other situations we might need to be prepared for......

[blott]

Most home owners will have prepared a list of 'what to dos' for their guests in their Florida Home Book and it's also what we have management companies for!

You're really unlikely to be bitten by any spider either inside a home or inside a pool cage (they're not called 'recluse' spiders for nothing!) because of regular pest control methods used in all Florida villa homes.

Generally though, if you're bitten by anything and it looks serious, then try to capture it (so that it can be identified), even if you have to squash it! Go to the nearest Pharmacy without delay if you're in the least bit worried or the bitten area swells up, turns red or is unusually painful.

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Joolz
Ok After my last visit where I got stung 80 times by fire ants and had an allergic reaction to them.. (those of you who dont know- dont panic- it is very rare!!! )
I wish to be prepared - call me a pessimist hey!!! [msncry]Im being well prepared!!![msnwink]
So If we should get bitten by a brown recluse or black widow what do we do????? and how do we know what kind of spider bit us?
Presumably these are things that they brief all schoolkids on in US?? Like what todo if there's a hurricaine- Ive read enough about that one though.....
are there any answers to my spider question 1st... then are there any other situations we might need to be prepared for......
[/quote]

Most owners have their homes sprayed for bugs......spiders like black widows don't always died with a home spray unless they are in or around the home at the time....I've used half a can of spray on a black widow before it died....I've yet to find one indoors......I've had them in the garage and on the front and back doors.....so I never leave any doors open to the ouside world unless they have a screen on them.....
I would see a doctor for any spider bite.....more so with young children and old people.....the recluse spider I've yet to see....but that bite really does need to be seen by a doctor...
I was told I'd be lucky to see a black widow.....and so far I've seen 7 around my house....I put that down to land clearing......and that once building work is finishes the amount I get to see will go down.....

[ctgirlscout]

Yes, if you get bit by the Brown Recluse or Black Widow, see a doctor, or go to the emergency room. It is highly unlikely that you will get bit (or you may not know that you have been bit for a while), but once you determine that you have, get it treated. You can get seriously ill from one of these bites if left untreated.

[Nostromo]

Majority of insect bites are not dangerous unless one is specifically hypersensitive to a particular type eg wasps. Even Black Widow bites need not be fatal contrary to popular belief, except for small children. The rule is:

- If you don't know what insect bit you or your child and the victim is showing signs of illness (intense local reaction, vomiting, breathing difficulties etc), see a doctor immediatly.

- If you are aware of what the insect is and the victim shows only local reaction (redness and swelling at the site of bite), application of an antihistamine cream often helps. Also, keep some Piriton tablets handy and these can quick and effective. Both can be had without prescription in the UK and US.

Finally, if in doubt - see a doctor. Better safe than sorry.

[chrizzy100]

These spiders spin small, irregular webs under bark, stones or other secluded areas. Their venom is especially poisonous to people; those bitten often become ill and find that the wound does not heal quickly. Both male and female recluse spiders, as well as their spiderlings, are capable of injecting venom which may result in serious lesion formation or systemic reactions. The severity of the bite may vary. The symptoms may vary from no harm at all to a reaction that is quite severe.
Usually, the brown recluse spider bite is not felt and the pain sets in from six to eight hours later. A typical bite area may resemble a pimple, postule or blister formation within six to 12 hours later. Mild to severe pain accompanied by swelling may occur during this interval. The surrounding tissue begins to darken, is irregular in shape with sharply raised edges resulting in a sunken area which may be several centimeters in diameter. Often there is a systemic reaction within 24-36 hours characterized by restlessness, fever, chills, nausea, weakness, and joint pain.
Where the bite occurs there is often tissue death and skin is sloughed off. In some severe cases, a wound may develop that lasts several months. In all cases, a physician should be notified. If at all possible, kill and take the spider to the physician for positive identification. Individual spiders can be crushed underfoot or sprayed with an aerosol spray.

[chrizzy100]

Of all spiders, the Black Widow is the most feared. The female’s venom is especially poisonous to people. Despite its reputation, this spider often attempts to escape rather than bite, unless it is guarding an egg mass or if it is cornered and pressed. The male black widow will not bite you. After mating, the female sometimes eats the male (remember, she only has to mate once in her life), earning the name "widow." During the period shortly following mating and laying of eggs, the female black widow can be a little cranky and hungry. After this period (if he lives through it!) the male lives quite comfortably, eating prey captured by the female. The development of his venom sacs stop and become inactive as the male matures, thus making him less of a potential problem than his female counterpart.

The bite of the female black widow spider may not always be felt at first and besides slight local swelling, there is usually little evidence of a lesion. Two tiny red spots can sometimes be observed in the center of the swollen area. Most of the time, pain at the site of the bite occurs immediately and becomes most intense after about three hours. An overall aching of the body, especially the legs, are common reactions. Headache, elevated blood pressure, nausea and profuse perspiration may occur in severe cases. The condition is self-limiting and in most cases symptoms disappear in two or three days.

[Joolz]

Thanks for that information...
Forewarned is fore armed so they say!!!

[Jules]

Thanks Chrizzy!!!

That's really cheered me up NOT!

I go to Florida in 2 weeks time to stay in my brand new villa on a brand new estate. I am now going to ring my management company and ask them to double dose my home with whatever kills spiders, I'm not fussy what type they are I just want them all DEAD!

If I get bitten by anything I will be dialling 911 as fast as I can, I'm not a whimp i'm just naturally cautious

[msnembarrased]

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Jules
Thanks Chrizzy!!!

That's really cheered me up NOT!

I go to Florida in 2 weeks time to stay in my brand new villa on a brand new estate. I am now going to ring my management company and ask them to double dose my home with whatever kills spiders, I'm not fussy what type they are I just want them all DEAD!

If I get bitten by anything I will be dialling 911 as fast as I can, I'm not a whimp i'm just naturally cautious

[msnembarrased]
[/quote]


Really if you have a good spray company......the only spiders you'll see inside after the first spray are dead ones......you can buy a good spray from Home Depot for $6....or a can for $1:99......and all your troubles are over.....my mother has a bad reaction to even a small spider bite.....and she was very happy that in the whole 4 weeks of her stay she never saw one.....dead or alive....I was the one who had that honer...and not knowing how to deal with the spiders or how they nest nearly got me bite.......so its best to know how to deal with it....its a fact of life in FL......and if the black widows keep away from my doors....I'm happy to let then have their bit of the garden.......