I need help with spider-bite/ulcer aftercare - any nurses or someone with experience?

[PrettyCandles]

I have what I think is a spider bite on my hand. Self-diagnosed via Google/Mumsnet/and a South African who'd been bitten in childhood. GP hadn't a clue and sent me away with "come back if it gets infected".

The blister was just over 1cm diameter, I left it alone, but it burst at lunchtime. Apparently I can expect an ulcer to form, which could take a few weeks to heal.

What do I do with it? I've put a bit of Jelonet on it, with a bit of gauze and tape to hold it on.

Please advise!

A and e

For a 1cm blister/ulster? A bit OTT for A&E, surely.

Whereabouts are you in the world? How long ago was the bite? I assume no chance of a poisonous bite?

Is it showing signs of infection? I think you should go back to your GP or make an appointment with the practise nurse if it isn't infected.

In London there are clinics for tropical medicine.

I had what I think was a spider bite on the back of my knee - the swelling etc probably spread for 4" and it was very painful - but it healed up fine without going to the dr or A&E. Hope yours does too!

My dh had about 20 spider bites on the back of his neck after sleeping in our loft. They were very painful but healed fine, took a few weeks though.

Forgot to say,you can get jelonet infused with iso betadine which is good for infected wounds. An infected wound might need antibiotics.

If it hurts and the skin surrounding it goes red, the redness spreading, go back to your GP or A&E. I got bitten by something in September, painful leg, swelling and redness all the way up the calf, got a week's antibiotics and stern instructions to go to a&e if the redness spread further.

Mistlethrush, you are either very lucky or tough as a camel: infected bites can lead to cellulitis and septicaemia. And, er, death.

oh yes for a 4in infection then you should really see you GP. That can lead to dangerous complications. Glad it didn't in your case Mistlethrush!

UK, bitten on Saturday (so 6days ago). Very probably poisonous given the reaction, but relatively mild venom, as it didn't affect me beyond the wrist. Definitely not allergic reaction, I react badly to mosquito bites, and this was not the same at all, also antihistamines had no effect.

4" swelling by Monday eve (from halfway up index finger almost all the way to my wrist), so called the GP on Tuesday, but by the time I saw her on Weds the swelling was almost all gone. So she said that my body had fought off any infection and no need for abs.

The venom is tissue-dissolving, which is why an ulcer forms beneath the blister. I know how to take care of a blister (cleanliness and wet-healing, which is why I used Jelonet), but I don't knwo wether an ulcer needs different care. Also, it's on the insdie edge of my hand, where it flexes and creases all the time, so I want to avoid getting a hard scab if poss.

SGB - tough as a camel probably

I would get advice from your GP if I were you.

But it's easier to go to Mumsnet, plus the MNers are often more knowledgeable!

very true!

But we cannot see the ulcer. Why don't you make an appointment to see your practice nurse? She would have more experience with wounds then a GP.

I didn't know you could get spider bites like that in the UK!!! Yikes!!

Ive never heard of nasty poisonous spider bites in this country,is this a whole new thing to worry about? I don't think a spider has ever bitten me,although a monster house spider tried to nip my dad when I was little ,I remember him laughing and showing me its mouth parts.

All spider bites are poisonous, but most UK spiders cannot physically bite humans - their jaws are not the right shape. A few can, but their venom is nothing compared to the really poisonous spiders you can find in USA/Africa/Australia. UK websites on insect bites dismiss spiderbites because they are so infrequent and nobody is allergic to them. All the helpful info I got was from American and Australian websites.

If you're squeamish, do not Google images of spider bites!

I spoke to a pharmacist today, and she recommended alginate dressings until it stops weeping, then using moist-healing wound dressings to prevent it scabbing. A bummer to apply - doesn't stay stuck to my palm, and irritates the bakc of my hand.

I would see your practice nurse (I am one and am far more experienced in wound assessment and care than our GPs!)

Jelonet isn't necessarily the best dressing for an ulcer (we rarely use it.) You may find something like Sorbsan, Duoderm, Allevyn Adhesive or Mepilex Border much better, all of which can be supplied/prescribed by your surgery after nurse assessment.

Practice nurse - like Sidge said .
They should know which dressing is best and be experienced in wound care .

are there baby spiders hatching out of it??

whimpers

Listen to Sidge!