Podcast #378: Is That a Brown Recluse Spider Bite?

Author: Michael Hunt, MD

Educational Pearls:

• Use the mnemonic NOT RECLUSE to rule out a brown recluse spider bite:

• Numerous bites (recluse spiders will bite once)

• Occurence (recluse bites between April- October)

• Timing (recluse spiders are… get this… reclusive)

• Red (recluse bites are white/pale)

• Elevated (recluse bites are flat)

• Chronic (recluse bites are acute)

• Large (recluse wounds are small)

• Ulceration, early (recluse bites ulcerate between 7-14 days)

• Swollen (recluse bites are flat)

• Exudative (recluse bites are dry)

References:

Stoecker WV, Vetter RS, Dyer JA. NOT RECLUSE-A Mnemonic Device to Avoid False Diagnoses of Brown Recluse Spider Bites. JAMA Dermatol. 2017 May 1;153(5):377-378. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.5665. PubMed PMID: 28199453.