Ok I need help ASAP.. - IS this something really bad?

TANNER'S MOM wrote: Ok, Tanner had a bite yesterday that was little like nickle sized.. I doctored it with Benadryl..and this morning it is HUGE..

ER right now or Dr's visit Tom??

gr33n3y3z replied: where is it at Mel?
Arm?

TANNER'S MOM replied: His upper thigh? Right before you get to his private area?

gr33n3y3z replied: does he know what bite him? does it hurt? Itch?

PrairieMom replied: do you have a after hours clinic? I would take him to an acute care type place just to have it checked out. An ER visit can be long and drawn out, and spendy.

mckayleesmom replied: I would take him to the Er....benadryl should have kept it from getting bigger....Have you checked his arms for any lines? My brother got bit by a black widow one time and he got a line going up his arm and the bit got bigger like that.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I would say ER visit or Dr call. A bite that does that can be a spider bite and they can be nasty. Keep us posted, prayers for Tanner.

gr33n3y3z replied: Ed said it looks like a spider bite and he should see a Dr

gr33n3y3z replied: Ed will be on I''m logging out

PreciousBabyDelights replied: loooks like a brown recluse spider bite the starts of it i cgot bit by one while i was in ait and thats what it looked like , please keep us posted!

TANNER'S MOM replied: Well, all we have is an ER..on Sundays. No acute anything. Do you think I should take him and wait the hours.. or wait until tomorrow where I can get right in? Is that time going to make a difference?

Spider bite is exactly what I was thinking? We live in the country and he is always outside and in weeds etc.

MM'sMama replied: If you wait I would just watch him really closely make sure is doesn't get any bigger and there is no oozing or anything and make sure he is breathing ok (just to make sure no allergic reaction or anything). Do you all after an after hours number you can call and ask what you should do or anything? Maybe I can call ours here I think I'll do that now and let you know what they say.

MM'sMama replied: Ok I called our care line and the lady told me this.

Watch him closely and check for any chages in the bit or in him. If it starts getting streaky it could be geting infected and to get him to an ER right away. But she said most likly is a small allergic reaction which is totally normal.

And also go to the ER if he

Gets dizzy
Become short of breath or wheezy
Develop a severe headache
Get hives, redness or itching on other ares of the body (other then bite area)
Faints or lightheaded
Develops a fever
Breaks out in a cold sweat

I hope that helps soon and I hope Tanner feels better soon keep us updated to both of you

redchief replied: I agree with previous posts on monitoring the bite for now, especially since your only option today is the ER. ER's can be expensive. I would have it looked at by the family Dr. tomorrow, especially if the swelling stays up.

Another thing you should keep an eye on is the "bite" sight itself (assuming that's what it is and it looks like it). Some spiders' venom can cause necropathy, or death of the cells in the area of the venom injection. Look for widening of the wound site, blackening of the edges around the wound or bluish, black darkening of the swelled area. Any of these things are cause for concern and medical attention should be sought as with the systemic reactions mentioned earlier.

Finally, don't let the wound site scab over until the swelling has receded. This will allow the venom and infection to be released at the wound site instead of making his body fight it through his system. Use neosporin or another thick antibiotic ointment on the wound site to keep it soft. Keep it clean until the swelling recedes.

elvisfan replied: I agree with all the above! I think watching it is a good thing to do and take him in if there are any changes.

TANNER'S MOM replied: Well I called the nurse from his Peds clinic.. and she said that if it is a spider bite then he needed to be seen ASAP..

So, ASAP at the local ER means 4 and a half hours later.. but we were seen. It was a brown recluse spider. They gave him a shot of anti botics and steroids. And a presciption for both. We have to monitor close for the rotting and eating out of the skin.. he may need wound care...

But right now all is going well.. just need to give meds and watch..

Thank you everyone who answered me it was so kind.. and thank you to Abbie who called me at the hospital..

Thanks to all.. You are the best

Mel

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Tanner seems to have all the luck lately. Hope it heals well. How is his arm, BTW?

punkeemunkee'smom replied: Mel- That kid is going to have more cowboy stories than you can shake a stick at! I was hoping it wasn't a brown recluse but at least you got him in today after all! I hope he heals quick from this one-he is a tough kid-just the thought of a spider biting me sends me into a tizzy! Tay is worried about him too so give him hugs for us! One for you too....maybe I need to rethink this I want a BOY thing!

Mommy2BAK replied: Oh that is so scary!! I am glad you got in to see the doc today. Sorry I didn't reply but I had no idea what it could be. Tell Tanner we hope he feels better!

MM'sMama replied: I have been so worried about Tanner all day so glad you got it all taken care of please keep us updated to both of you.

PreciousBabyDelights replied:
Im glad you got it checked out, i knew it was a recluse bite, keep a good eye on it cause looking at pics it can get bad. please do keep us updated!
and give him a big hug!!!!

gr33n3y3z replied: Give Tanner some hugs from me
And here are a few for you (( Hugs ))

PrairieMom replied: Poor little guy! I'm glad you are getting it taken care of. those bites can be nasty. Hang in thre!

PrairieMom replied: I was wondering how Tanner was doing. I hope that his bite is healing well. GIve us an update when you can!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: OMG!! How did I miss this post??

Mel that is so scary! That bite does look just like a recluse bite. I hope he is doing better and won't need wound care. I'm glad you got him in to the ER right away. Poor Tanner.

A&A'smommy replied: OMG I can't believe i missed this I'm glad he is okay though!!!