Originally Posted by Tullian Zombie

My regular FT job is in healthcare.

Please, if any of you get bitten by a Recluse spider, go to your doctor IMMEDIATELY!

The infection starts off in the tissue but as it progresses, it can break into the bloodstream and go systemic.

Regular antibiotics usually aren't effective either. You have to go into the hospital and have IV antibiotics (vantomycin, gentomycin).

If you get a bug bite and aren't sure what bit you, watch the area closely. If you start spiking a temperature or the tissue around the bite becomes painful, go to the doctor. It might not be a Recluse but several insects will bite you and then lay eggs in the bite area. They can do that quickly. You would think they wouldn't have time, but that's how fast it can happen.

Nasty stuff!

Every summer we see at least a half dozen people have to have large chunks of flesh removed or even fingers, toes, limbs amputated.