Spiders and Snakes

[Bruno]

More on the possible spider culprit: http://hobospider.org/yellosac.html

"Bites by yellow sac spiders generally produce instant, intense stinging
pain, not unlike that of the sting of a wasp or hornet. This may be followed
by localized redness, swelling and itching; these manifestations may or may
not evolve into a necrotic lesion, but when that occurs healing is usually
complete within eight weeks. Systemic effects are usually not severe, but
when they occur may include chills, fever, headache, dizziness, nausea,
anorexia, and sometimes shock. Treament for the local lesion should follow
the same protocols as outlined for the hobo and brown recluse spiders:
Likewise, corticosteroid therapy may be beneficial when systemic effects are
present."
--
Bruce
Utah, USA


Bruno <cues at itsnet.com> wrote in message
news:66eq4.45731$ox5.11985967 at tw11.nn.bcandid.com...
> Mark:
> Maybe I'm an alarmist, but if it were me I'd have that spider bite checked
> out and ID the spider that bit you.
> >You wrote: "(BTW, what's a fever tick?)."  In Utah, ticks are known to be
> vectors of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Other tick born diseases are Lyme
> Disease and Colorado Tick Fever. These are serious diseases.
> --
> Bruce
> Utah, USA
>
> Mark Walker <MWalker at gensym.com> wrote in message
> news:45F8A30CE009D2118F850000F805064D01AC6278 at hqmail.gensym.com...
> > I've shared many of the hazards associated with butterflying in remote
> > locations before, perhaps in an attempt to offset the image of the wimpy
> > butterfly collector.  When I think of what it took to travel to some of
> > these locations back in the second and third decades of last century, it
> > truly amazes me.  Driving in cars without air conditioning on unpaved
> roads
> > - with little in the way of conveniences (no AM/PM handy to refill the
32
> > oz. soda cup).  The clothing was more uncomfortable.  The locations more
> > inaccessible.  These were a studly group - and I'm talking about the
> female
> > Lepidopterists.
> >
> > So here I am in So. Texas, ready for more biting mosquitoes and crawling
> > ticks (BTW, what's a fever tick?).  While tracking some Phaon
> Crescentspots
> > in Armstrong, I feel this incredibly sharp pain in my middle left
finger.
> > What, a bee?  A wasp?  A red ant?  No - it's a spider, about the size of
> > tick.  It's pale yellow, and has elongated front legs.  And it's just
> > created the most painful spider bite I've ever experienced.  Apparently,
> it
> > didn't like being caught up in my net.  When it detected fleshly
contact,
> it
> > gave it to me.
> >
> > Now, two days later, I think my finger is going to fall off.
> >
> > This will seriously hinder my salutations to courteous drivers who
> > acknowledge my superior drive-and-watch-the-fauna maneuvering.
> >
> > O.K., so I'm just kidding about the falling off part.  It's swollen,
> though,
> > and constantly reminding me of it's donor.  I'm sure I'll survive
> (although
> > I was tempted to at least document the event, just in case someone finds
> me
> > two days from now lumped over in the rental car on the side of some
> > abandoned road).  Speaking of abandoned roads - we butterfliers do put
> > ourselves into some rather vulnerable positions.  My wife has often
> remarked
> > that if something were to happen to me, they wouldn't find my body for
> days
> > - maybe weeks (heck, maybe never).
> >
> > Anyway, I'm certainly not whining.  I love this part of it.  The swollen
> > fingers, the itchy ankles, the abandoned roads - that one butterfly
moment
> > that defines and justifies the excursion - it's great.  I'm afraid I
can't
> > hold a candle to the old timers, though.  When I see specimen dates like
> > 1913, and we're talking about the Mojave desert, I'm in awe.
> >
> > Mark Walker
> > teaching in Houston, TX
> >
>
>