MetaChat - Any remedy for probable spider bites?

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19 November 2007

Any remedy for probable spider bites? →[More:]

I have a whole slew of bites on my right arm (yep, just the right one). They start near my shoulder and go all the way down to the back of my hand. Only thing I can think of is that some little spider decided to call the space between the wall and the bed home, and when my arm wandered in there last night, he got angry. (And I have an image of a little spider going "Get out! [*chomp*] Hey, I said go away! [*chomp chomp*]"

My arm is incredibly itchy. I've tried Cortizone, Lanacaine, and Benadryl cream. None of them last for very long. I took half a Benadryl earlier today, but that's not a good long-term solution since it knocks me straight out.

Any ideas on how to quell the INSANE ITCHING?????

post by: mudpuppie at: 19:18 | 10 comments

We use this stuff for mosquito bites, with great results. Science Girl tends to have a really severe reaction; with the Aveeno, it's kept nicely in control. I don't know why it wouldn't do the same for spider bites.

posted by bmarkey 19 November | 19:26

Awesome. Thanks, B.

posted by mudpuppie 19 November | 19:29

After having chopped up habeneros last night without wearing gloves, I'm going to guess that rubbing habeneros on your arm will at least make you forget about the itching for a while.

(Sorry. Nothing helpful. But I hope you get better soon!)

posted by occhiblu 19 November | 19:32

That actually sounds kind of appealing.

posted by mudpuppie 19 November | 19:34

Run very very very hot water over your arm. When the water feels almost icy, you're done. It scrambles the nerves for a good two or three hours.

posted by Specklet 19 November | 19:38

No habaneros this year, but I do have some firey serranos. Just tried the serrano cure on 2-3 bites. The first couple minutes -- felt nothing, and it was great! Next couple, started to hurt. Now, about ten minutes in, it's still vaguely itchy, but not nearly as bad (and the burning is much preferable to the itching).

If it doesn't last, I might try the hot water thing, but I'm afraid that at this point my skin might just fall off.

Which still might also be preferable to the itching.

posted by mudpuppie 19 November | 19:45

Hee.

Make chili while you're at it. :-)

posted by occhiblu 19 November | 20:00

I was surprised about the hot water thing: you'd think it would make it worse eventually, or help spread the histamines, or something, but it doesn't. It's the only thing that works for me.

posted by Specklet 19 November | 20:12

Although I've heard you're not supposed to do both together, apply benadryl cream on the bites, and pop a benadryl pill or two. I've done that lots of times and I'm perfectly glurahpasfah;f!!!

posted by Doohickie 19 November | 21:35

pups, you have got to start including an MSDS with your pepper deliveries.

Can you get some loratidine over the counter? It's OK for itching and relatively non-drowsy. Cetirizine is better but I am not sure it's OTC yet.

posted by ikkyu2 20 November | 21:36

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