Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
A Bite Wound the Size of a Baseball | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
Hello my name is Sarah and my sister is 14. She was recently bitten by something. We are not sure what it was but around the bite turned into a red spot about the size of a soft ball (four inches), and now were the bite was there is a hole about the size of the tip of your finger. What kind of bugs or insects that could cause this kind of thing other than a recluse spider? Please let me know ASAP!!!! Thanks for your time.— Jewell in Grand Junction. CO | | | ANSWER |
April 16, 2001 | | | Dear Jewell/Sarah,
That is a very big sore! I'm sorry to hear your sister is having this problem. You're right that the brown recluse spider (as well as some other kinds of spiders) can cause a reaction that looks like this, but what you describe also could be caused by a potentially serious infection (e.g., a staph or strep infection). No matter what the cause, a sore this big should be evaluated and followed closely by a healthcare provider. Even if it is a spider bite, it may need special care. So, if your sister isn't already being followed closely by an experienced practitioner, she needs to be seen right away.— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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