Brown Recluse Spider Toxicity (Healthcare Continuing Education CME)

 

Brown Recluse Spider Toxicity (Healthcare Continuing Education CME)

Continuing Education Activity

In the United States, Loxosceles reclusa, or brown recluse spiders are found mostly in the south, west, and Midwest areas. They are usually in dark areas such as under rocks, in the bark of dead trees, attics, basements, cupboards, drawers, boxes, bedsheets, or similar locations. Dermonecrotic arachnidism is the local tissue injury that results from brown recluse spider envenomation, while loxoscelism describes the systemic syndrome caused by envenomation. This activity reviews the pathophysiology and presentation of the brown recluse spider bite and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in its management.

Objectives:

• Describe the pathophysiology of a brown recluse spider bite.
• Review the presentation of a brown recluse spider bite.
• Outline the treatment and management options available for a brown recluse spider bite.
• Summarize interprofessional team strategies for improving care and outcomes in patients suffering a brown recluse spider bite.

Anoka IA, Robb EL, Baker MB. Brown Recluse Spider Toxicity. [Updated 2023 Aug 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537045/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537045/#article-29294.s8