Effects of the bite -
In a short period of time, the venom in a Brown Recluse spider bite has the ability to cause major tissue necrosis. Necrosis is the death of living cells. The venom comes into contact with the living cells and they simply die. The result is a very painful and gruesome "flesh-rotting" open wound.
Fatalities are rare, but are most common with children, the elderly, and those in poor physical condition. The severity of the bite wound can vary greatly with some bites going unnoticed while others (though rare) reach the size of dinner plates. The amount of venom the spider injects can vary and tests indicate the spider is able to control the amount of venom injected.
Source: NC State University
Brown Recluse spider bites can be difficult to diagnose, even by physicians. Diagnostic tests to detect Brown Recluse venom in tissue are not readily available.
Collection of the spider that bit you is considered the best possible chance for positive identification. This presents a problem because Brown Recluse bites sometimes do not result in any initial pain (43% of cases in one study). Since the bite may not be immediately noticed, collection of the spider isn't seen as a necessity.
As soon as 2 hours after the bite, or as long as a week, the area may become painful, itchy, hot, swollen, red and tender. An irregular ulcerous sore, caused by necrosis, will often appear that is from 1/4 inch to 10 inches in diameter.
Prompt attention is the best defense against preventing the necrosis. The wound is often described as being dark colored in the center, surrounded by a reddish area with a narrow whitish separation in between the red and the blue. This gives it the famous "bull's eye" pattern.
Source: University of Nebraska
If the wound is becoming necrotic, it will often begin to turn purple within 24 hours. If the skin does turn purple, it is likely that necrosis is on the way and will then turn black as the cells die.
Eventually, the necrotic core will fall off and leave a deep pit. A sinking blue-gray impression in the skin is the result. This is due to the lack of a good blood supply to the center of the wound.
Source: Alabama A&M University
Deep scarring can occur after healing. Scarring may look like a hole had been scooped out of the body. In some cases, necrosis can reappear months or even years after being bitten. Sometimes necrosis will reappear on a yearly basis (See below).
Necrosis takes a long time to heal with some victims experiencing pain for months and even years after being bitten.
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