Wierd...

[Lecan]

Okay, so this has been bugging me for the past few days.

For the past few days I've been having trouble sleeping. It just started randomly, for a long time I had problems, they stopped for probably about 2 years now, suddenly they have returned... however..

It isn't like it was before, this is more akin to being woke up than waking up, if you get my meaning. I was able to deduce (deduct?) that the problem is with what appears to be very dry skin on the side of my foot, to the point of it being painful to the touch (not like, OUCH painful, but like... that kinda stings, painful).

Near the dry skin is a small, what looks like, bite mark. This would make sense, since about a week ago I was cleaning my room and I saw like three freaking spiders (and since that Brown Recluse spider thread, I'm friggin paranoid of spiders, thanks a lot Phraust >> ). So, I figure I've been bitten by a spider of some sort...

however, here's the catch. I can't figure out just how worried I should be about it. I mean, dry skin, bitemark, redness on my foot in the surrounding area doesn't exactly sound good. But I'm not gonna go running to my doctor over something that is probably nothing. If I had some sort of digital camera/scanner I'd take a picture to get you guys' "professional" advice, but sadly I don't.

At any rate, what do you guys think I should do? Minor wound and don't worry about it? Or get medical attention asap? This isn't really bugging me as it isn't really all that painful, but I figured I'd ask you guys since the entarweb wasn't helping much.

On that note, a seperate rant:

Whoever had the "clever" idea of making so what you search on a search engine showed up results that pointed you to another search engine with the same results, which point to another search engine, etc etc.... fuck off, you making finding any sort of information relatively impossible.

/rant off.

 

[Mithracat]

I hope this helps?

 

[Fellina]

I'm getting some info for you from Dr. Osse, our resident Podiatrist:

Spider bites generally have 2 appearances, depending on the type. A bite from a minor, non-threatening spider will have a red, swollen bump at the site of the bite mark. A more serious spider bite will have an actual depression or crater at the site of the bite, caused by the injection of the spider's digestive enzymes during the bite. (It's being described to me as looking like a peach that has been pressed too hard by a finger, and now has a gooey, depressed bruise).

At this point, it doesn't seem like anything serious, based on your description. Keep an eye on it, ice it if it's uncomfortable, and don't poke it too much. Hydrocortisone may also help. As always, if it gets worse, or you start having other symptoms (fever, body aches, etc.) see a doctor.

 

[Mokk]

medication-wise your best bet would be icthamal (drawing salve) on the bite mark with a small bandage and some aloe on the affected dry skin, should clear it up in a day tops.

 

[Aerandir]

I say, when it doubt, check it out. I'd rather be out a $25 co-pay than a foot.

 

[Lecan]

Yeah, I woke up today feeling a bit weak, no appetite (though admittedly I've only been up 2 hours, so I might just not be hungry yet) and just generally feeling like crap. I figure if it was a spider bite, this is probably unrelated to my current symptoms, as I don't think spider venom causes stuffy noses >.>;;

The area itself looks the same, and applied no medication/salves to it. A small red mark, and around it redness and the skin is dry, almost looks silvery actually, and it is a bit swollen, but I'm not too concerned at this point. If it gets worse I'll definitely contact a doctor of some sort (after I FIND one...)

Yeah, I checked out that site Mithracat, it was somewhat helpful, but what I was looking for last night (earlier this morning >.>) was actually pictures of the effected bite wounds of various types of spiders. That way I could try to figure out what bit me, if it was a spider.

My room is a spiders paradise though... it's always dark, because I hate light myself, and rarely have the blinds open or a light on. It's always cool because I keep the air conditioner on all day (I generally don't like hot weather, but am EXTREMELY tolerant of cold temperatures... think walking around in shorts and a T-shirt in the middle of a blizzard)., and It can become somewhat damp (due to the condensation that appears on the air conditioner, which tends to moisten the air a bit).

 

[Astyanax]

I hate a Whiptail Scorpion in my house like lastweek. ; ;