Brown Recluse Bite on the Finger

Thursday, 1/6/2000

My name is LeeAnn Parkes. I am writing concerning your research with brown recluse spider bites, and the necrosis associated with these bites.

About 10 years ago I was bitten on the distal end of the ring finger of my right hand by a brown recluse. I am certain that this was a brown recluse. I saw the spider and felt it when it bit me. I remember feeling mild pain and a burning sensation. I immediately sought medical treatment, but the physician was not familiar with these spiders, and sent me home with no antibiotics at all. Around 36 to 48 hours later, blistering and extreme swelling had started. I again sought medical treatment with a different physician. By this time, red streaking had started up my arm my finger was so swollen that the tissue had started to split open and necrosis had started in the area of the bite. My entire finger was involved, with blistering and pus formation extending the length of the finger. I spent several days in the hospital with IV antibiotics. The necrosis subsided, tissue was lost and I seemed to get better.

Over the next two years, this would happen again. The only warning that I have is the appearance of a dark bluish/purple node, about the size of a pin dot. This always comes up on the same side of my finger as the bite. Blistering, necrosis, tissue loss would all follow in pretty much the same pattern. I saw different physicians, each sending me to another for different tests. I have had every imaginable lab test run (all with negative results), and have been given so many different diagnosis that I can't remember them all. Fluid, tissue and blood tests failed to result in any definite diagnosis. I would tell each physician that this all started with the bite of the brown recluse, yet I was told that there was no way this necrotic state could be a result of the bite. Finally, gangrene developed in this finger, and the distal and (from the middle joint) was amputated. After the amputation, the same thing started again, on the stump Again, on the same side as the bite. About a year after the amputation, I was sent to a surgeon for a brachial sympathectomy, with the diagnosis of RSD. After this surgery, for about 6 years, I had no recurrence of the blistering on my finger. Around two years ago, it started again. Each time is now progressively worse, and it gets physically harder on me. Nausea and vomiting are common during this time. Also, I can associate what seems to be a bladder or kidney infection with these episodes, with back pain and dark urine. This lasts for one to two weeks after the finger heals. It seems to start again a few days before it flares up again. There are no words to adequately describe the pain.

If after reading this, you feel as though I might benefit from your research - please contact me. I am willing to do anything at this point. Not only do I want this episode over with, I want to know what is wrong with me and how to stop it. Until I heard of you and your research, I had begun to believe that I had lost my mind. If I can't get the physician I am currently working with to contact you, I am willing to come to wherever you are for help.

I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you soon. I would like to take any info you can share to my appointment on Monday.

If you can, please help me.

Thank you,

LeeAnn Parkes

Brown Recluse Bite on the Hand

Day 3

The next sequence of pictures follow a victim that is bit on his thumb. Though not too bad looking after 3 days, this bite is far from fully developed.

Day 4

Notice the finger is still swelling as the bite become more and more infected. Though antibiotics will subdue the infection, most bite victims will still experience a lot of pain and suffering from the wound that develops.

Day 5

"The thumb which was bit is still swelling and getting more red. It is clear that this bite is infected and the general state of the soft tissue around the penetration point is degenerating."

Day 6

"At this point, the infection has progressed enough to warrant some invasive treatments and procedures. This will involve making cuts and draining the wound."

Day 9

"The wound has now been lanced and drained. Two days have gone by since the last photo. At this point it is hoped the infection won't get any worse. "

Day 10

"At this point the wound looks as bad as it will look. The infection has slowed and though this will take months to heal, the real threat has passed. Now only time will tell how well the injury heals and if there is any permanent damage to the skin, muscles, nerves and other surrounding soft tissue. "