OpenHealth Q&A

Spider Bite: A Cautionary Tale

Last weekend, from August 8th to 10th, I traveled to Oregon for a wedding and stayed in a basement-level AirBnB that had been refurbished. Upon arriving, I spotted a door that seemed to lead to a garage or storage area; it had noticeable gaps around its edges, allowing me to peek inside the locked space. The view revealed a clutter of gardening tools, old paint cans, abandoned cat supplies, and a thick layer of dust with cobwebs—quite reminiscent of a classic horror film’s eerie garage scenes. While I noted the oddity of the door, I soon put it out of my mind and continued enjoying the stay. Unfortunately, within the first day, I found myself removing two spiders from the place. My friend, terrified of one due to its size, decided to flush it down the toilet—another detail I made note of. Having lived in a basement myself before, I understood that spider encounters weren’t entirely unusual in such settings. Upon returning home to Seattle on August 10th, I reached into my friend’s car to grab a bag and noticed a sudden pain in my hip. After stepping inside, I found a bite mark that was slightly pink with a white center, leading me to suspect it was from a spider. The discomfort intensified, making it hard to lie on my right side, while my partner insisted it was simply a severe mosquito bite, considering my reputation for reacting dramatically to them. The next day, August 11th, the affected area had darkened noticeably and swelling became evident. The wound felt warm, prompting my anxiety to flare up. I decided to visit the doctor for an evaluation. After waiting for over two hours, I received a prescription for Cephalexin and Mupirocin Ointment but didn't have the chance to discuss my symptoms in detail with the physician. By the following day, August 12th, the pain had escalated and the heat emanating from the wound was alarming. Blisters began to form, popping and reappearing unpredictably. Following the instructions on my discharge paperwork regarding worsening symptoms, I ultimately made my way to the emergency room. At the ER, I was given Sulfameth/Trimethoprim and instructed to carry on with the antibiotics while keeping an eye on my symptoms. On August 13th, I didn’t visit the doctor despite experiencing sharp pains at the bite site; I simply focused on resting and sticking to my antibiotic plan. Later that evening, after a lengthy nap, I noticed a concerning red streak extending from the wound. I immediately contacted my primary care provider via MyChart, and they advised me to return to the clinic on August 14th. During my visit, I reported that both hot and cold compresses were painful and explained the significant swelling affecting my skin, which appeared to be dented in some areas. I expressed my discomfort that extended down my leg as well. However, the attending doctor, who wasn't my regular physician, dismissed my concerns as there was no visible discharge or fever, and suggested I let the antibiotics continue to work. She then outlined my wound with a used marker, stating that I should return if it spread. That evening, I began to feel a sore throat, my lymph nodes felt swollen, and my temperature rose to 99.4 degrees Fahrenheit. After reviewing my discharge instructions, I decided not to return to the clinic, not wanting to burden the medical staff with what I thought might be minor concerns. Upon waking on August 15th, I noticed a stiffness accompanying the pain in my leg, and the size of the wound had increased significantly. It felt hot, leaving me unsure of my next steps as I was still taking the prescribed Cephalexin and Sulfameth. Though I recognize I can be overly sensitive regarding my health, my past experiences—where my complaints weren’t taken seriously—continue to affect my caution. I once battled misdiagnoses leading to further complications, such as a severe kidney infection after being treated incorrectly for a mild UTI. That history has made me vigilant about my health. My mother has been adding to my worries; she often teases me for being dramatic over my health concerns. Ironically, when I expected her to minimize the situation, she encouraged me to seek help at the ER. I find myself wishing someone would assure me I don’t need to seek further medical attention, but I'm also seeking advice. What do you suggest I do? Thank you for reading my lengthy account of events.

Answers (1)

8/15/2025, 4:11:53 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you’ve been through quite a challenging experience with your spider bite, and it's completely understandable to feel anxious given your symptoms and past health concerns. Let's focus on understanding your situation and determining the best next steps.

Main Points

1. Worsening Symptoms: You are experiencing increased pain, swelling, redness, and other systemic symptoms like fever and sore throat, which indicate a potential infection.
2. Need for Re-evaluation: Given your escalating symptoms and your prior experiences with healthcare, it's important to address this situation proactively.

Explanation

While it's common for spider bites to cause localized pain and swelling, the progression you're describing—especially the development of red streaks, increased swelling, and systemic symptoms like fever—suggests that the bite may be leading to a more serious infection or reaction that requires further evaluation. Your experience of being dismissed by a doctor can understandably lead to hesitation in seeking further care, but it is crucial to listen to your body.

Next Steps

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Given the red streaks and systemic symptoms (fever, sore throat), it is advisable to seek medical attention again, preferably at an urgent care or emergency room. Inform the healthcare provider about the worsening symptoms and insist on thorough evaluation due to your medical history and current situation.

2. Document Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, including any changes in pain, size of the wound, fever, and subjective feelings of wellness. This will help healthcare providers understand the progression and urgency of your condition.

3. Continue Taking Prescribed Antibiotics: While it’s necessary to seek re-evaluation, do not stop taking the antibiotics currently prescribed (Cephalexin and Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim) until evaluated by a healthcare professional.

4. Monitor Critical Signs: Look for any signs of severe infection, such as:

   • Persistent fever (over 100.4°F)
   • Severe increasing pain
   • Spreading redness or swelling
   • Changes in mobility in your leg
   • Any general feelings of unwellness (shaky, extremely fatigued)

5. Avoid Self-Diagnosis: While it is important to be aware of your health, avoid diagnosing yourself and relying too heavily on anecdotal experiences. Each case is unique, and your current symptoms warrant professional assessment.

Reassurance

It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, especially when balancing health concerns with external opinions. You are advocating for your health, which is important. Listen to your instincts, and it is absolutely correct to seek further care based on your situation. Remember, being proactive about your health is not dramatic; it’s necessary. You deserve to have your concerns validated and addressed appropriately.

Feel free to reach out for any further clarification or if you need more support.