A forward I thought would be useful to those in the US

[Guest guest]

marianne2406

Sat Jul 12, 2003 12:19 pm

An onforward that I thought would be useful to those in

the US

 

 

 

In a message dated 12/07/03 10:21:22 GMT Daylight Time,

listadmin writes:

 

> Public Awareness Announcement #92 - Brown Recluse Spider

> 11 July 2003

>

> In this installment of the Public Awareness Announcements we are

going to

> make sure that you are aware of the potential dangers of the brown

recluse

> spider. We are doing this now because it is the summer time and

many folks

> will be doing yard work, cleaning out the garage or attic, and

enjoying time

> outdoors. Therefore it is important that you are aware of this

arachnid and

> take measures to keep you and your family safe from its poisonous

bite.

>

> There are several links in this email which illustrate the graphic

and destructive

> effects of a brown recluse bite. Although the first one is only a

pic of the spider and isn't shocking, the others show an actual bite via

pictures and the later ones can be disturbing to view. Discretion is advised.

>

> The information below comes to us courtesy of Ohio State

University.

> http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2061.html

>

> The brown recluse spider is not common in Ohio. It is found mainly

in the

> southern and Midwestern states especially Arkansas, Oklahoma and

Missouri.

> To date, infested Ohio counties have had a history where this

spider

> probably

> hitchhiked (shipped) into the home in furniture, appliances,

storage

> cartons,

> boxes, old clothes and other household goods. The brown recluse

spider is

> not

> aggressive. Most bitten people have directly contacted the spider

when putting on clothing or shoes not used for long periods of time. They

usually occur in houses on the floor or behind furniture (undisturbed areas).

>

> Some have been bitten after sleeping in an unused bed after

rolling over onto the spider or others after accidentally touching the spider

when cleaning out undisturbed storage areas. Fatalities are rare, but bites are

most dangerous to children, elderly and those in poor physical condition.

>

> Identification (Click Link For Photo)

> http://www.healthfree.com/spider/brownrecluse.jpg

>

> Adult brown recluse spiders are soft-bodied, yellowish-tan to dark

brown,

> about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and have long, delicate grayish to dark

brown

> legs

> covered with short, dark hairs. The leg span is about the size of

a

> half-dollar.

> Distinguishing characteristics are the presence of three pairs of

eyes

> arranged

> in a semicircle on the forepart of the head and a violin-shaped,

dark marking immediately behind the semicircle of eyes with the neck of the

violin pointing towards the bulbous abdomen.

>

> The eight legs and violin marking appear on the flattened-like

cephalothorax

>

> (combined area of the head and thorax). Both the male and female

brown recluse spiders are similar in appearance and equally toxic. The immature

stages closely resemble the adults except for size and a slightly lighter color.

>

> Life Cycle and Habits

>

> These spiders spin small, loose, white to off-white webs with

irregular

> strands.

> The female lays eggs from May through August in off-white silken

cases

> (sacs)

> about 1/3-inch in diameter. Sacs containing 40 or more eggs each

are found

> hung in the web, over winter in sheltered, dark areas and are

guarded by the

>

> female until her death. Each female may lay as many as 300 eggs

during her

> lifetime. Spiderlings emerge in 24 to 36 days leaving the egg case

with slow

>

> development (10 to 12 months), and are influenced by weather

conditions and

> food availability. Spiders can survive long periods of time

without food or

> water

> and may live as long as two years.

>

> This spider is most active at night when it comes out in search of

food

> consisting

> of cockroaches and other small insects. During the day, time is

spent in

> quiet,

> undisturbed places such as bathrooms, bedrooms, closets, basements

and

> cellars. The spiders sometimes take shelter under furniture,

appliances and

> carpets, behind baseboards and door facings, or in corners and

crevices.

> Some

> have been found in stored clothing, old shoes, on the undersides

of tables

> and

> chairs, and in folded bedding and undisturbed towels stored for

long periods

> of

> time. Outdoors, the spider may be found in sheltered corners among

debris,

> in

> wood piles, under loose bark and stones, in old barns, storage

sheds and

> garages.

> These spiders are very adaptable and may be active in temperatures

ranging

> from 45 to 110 deg F.

>

> Bite Symptoms

>

> These photo's chronicle the effects of a brown recluse bite upon a

human.

> The first few photo's are not terribly bad, the last, however, are

quite

> graphic.

> Viewer beware!

>

> Day 3: http://www.healthfree.com/spider/day_3.jpg

> Day 4: http://www.healthfree.com/spider/day_4.jpg

> Day 5: http://www.healthfree.com/spider/day_5.jpg

> Day 6: http://www.healthfree.com/spider/day_6.jpg

> Day 9: http://www.healthfree.com/spider/day_9.jpg

> Day 10: http://www.healthfree.com/spider/day_10.jpg

>

>

> The severity of a person's reaction to the bite depends on the

amount of

> venom

> injected and individual sensitivity to it. Bite effects may be

nothing at

> all,

> immediate

> or delayed. Some may not be aware of the bite for 2 to 8 hours,

whereas

> others

> feel a stinging sensation usually followed by intense pain if

there is a

> severe

> reaction.

> A small white blister usually rises at the bite site surrounded by

a large

> congested

> and swollen area. Within 24 to 36 hours, a systemic reaction may

occur with

> the

> victim characterized by restlessness, fever, chills, nausea,

weakness and

> joint

> pain.

> The affected area enlarges, becomes inflamed and the tissue is

hard to the

> touch.

> The spider's venom contains an enzyme that destroys cell membranes

in the

> wound

> area with affected tissue gradually sloughing away, exposing

underlying

> tissues.

> Within 24 hours, the bite site can erupt into a " volcano lesion "

(a hole in

> the

> flesh

> due to damaged, gangrenous tissue).

>

> The open wound may range from the size of an adult's thumbnail to

the span

> of a

> hand. The sunken, ulcerating sore may heal slowly up to 6 to 8

weeks. Full

> recovery

> may take several months and scarring may remain. Plastic surgery

and skin

> grafts

> are sometimes required.

>

> First Aid

>

> If bitten, remain calm, collect the spider, if possible, for

positive

> identification and

> get medical attention immediately (contact your physician,

hospital and/or

> Poison

> Information Center). Apply antiseptic solution to prevent

infection and ice

> packs to

> relieve local swelling and pain directly to the bite area.

>

> An effective anti-venom is not generally available. The physician

will usually

> administer high doses of cortisone-type hormones to combat

hemolysis and other systemic complications. A report suggests that treatment

with dapsone (a drug used mainly for leprosy) may reduce the degree of tissue

damage.

>

> Control Measures

>

> The brown recluse spider is not aggressive and normally bites only

when crushed, handled or disturbed. It is aptly named since it is a reclusive

creature seeking and preferring seclusion.

>

> Prevention

>

> Shake out clothing and shoes before dressing, and inspect bedding

and towels before using. People are most often bitten when putting on

clothing that has hung undisturbed or shoes seldom worn, into which a spider has

moved.

>

> Do not go barefoot or handle firewood without gloves.

>

> Remove trash, old boxes, piles of lumber, old clothing and other

unwanted items.

>

> Eliminate cluttered areas in basements, closets, attics and other

> outbuildings.

>

> Dust and vacuum thoroughly and more frequently around windows,

corners in rooms, under furniture, in storage areas and normally undisturbed

places to eliminate spiders, webs and egg sacs. Use a dust mop, broom and

dust pan, if needed.

>

> Install screens on doors and windows to prevent entry. Seal or

caulk cracks and crevices where spiders can enter the house. Wash off the

outside of the house and roof eves.

>

> Insecticides

>

> Adult spiders spend little time in direct contact with surfaces.

Instead, they are found in or on webbing. Thorough applications of

fine particles of insecticides such as ULV, aerosols or fogs

contact spiders in their webs causing quicker population reduction.

>

> The author, The Ohio State University

> and Ohio State University Extension assume no liability resulting

from the use of these recommendations.

> ___________

>

> For a free copy of the " Live Food Diet & Lifestyle " -

> (alkaline producing foods and recipes) in email form,

> send your request to healthfree