What Do Violin Spider Bites & Images Look Like? Symptoms, Wound Pictures

What Do Violin Spiders Look Like?

Violin spiders, also known as brown recluse spiders, get their name from the violin-shaped marking on their cephalothorax (the fused head and thorax section). This distinctive violin marking sets them apart from other types of spiders.

Violin spiders are usually brown, tan, or dark beige in color. Their bodies grow to be about 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) long. Their leg span can reach up to 1.5 inches (3.81 cm).

Key Physical Characteristics

Here are some of the main physical features that help identify violin spiders:

Violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax - This brownish marking has a narrow neck that widens at the base, resembling the shape of a violin.
Six equal-sized eyes - Their eyes are arranged in three diagonal pairs. They have good eyesight despite the small size of their eyes.
Uniformly colored abdomen - Their oval-shaped abdomen lacks markings and is more uniformly colored, unlike many other types of spiders.
Long, thin legs - Their legs are disproportionately long and thin compared to the body size. The legs are covered in short sensitive hairs.

Distinguishing Features

It's important to note some features that can help distinguish violin spiders from other household spiders:

No stripe on abdomen - Unlike black widows, violin spiders lack stripes or red markings on the top of their round abdomen.
No spinnerets - They do not have the prominent spinnerets (silk-spinning organs) found on the end of many spiders' abdomens.
Leg joints - Violin spider legs have evenly spaced joints, while long-bodied cellar spiders have legs with bunched joints.

What Do Violin Spider Bites Look Like?

While violin spiders usually avoid biting humans, they may bite if threatened or accidentally pressed against someone's skin. The venom from their bites can cause mild to severe skin injuries in some cases.

Violin Spider Bite Symptoms

Common symptoms of a violin spider bite include:

Slight stinging pain at first, turning into intense itching, throbbing, or deep burning pain
Development of a painful red welt with a pale center blister or deep "crater" wound
Wound ulcerates, forming an open necrotic sore that heals slowly over several weeks or months
Brown scar may remain after healing
Other symptoms like fever, chills, rash, joint pain, or vomiting rarely occur

Appearance of Bite Wounds

Here are some details on the appearance and progression of violin spider bite wounds:

Initial bite - A small red mark that looks similar to a mosquito bite or inflamed pimple.
24-72 hours later - Wound site swells into a raised white or pink bump with a red halo.
4-14 days after bite - Blister turns dark blue or purple as the venom kills surrounding tissue and a painful ulcer forms.
2 weeks to 6 months after bite - An open sore results as the dead tissue slowly sloughs away; healing is gradual.

Violin Spider Bite Pictures

Pictures of violin spider bites show the typical progression of skin lesions that occur in some victims. Images help identify the bite symptoms unique to the Loxosceles reclusa species compared to other types of spider bites.

Mild to Moderate Bites

Image shows a red inflamed bump on skin from a mild violin spider bite

Mild bites may just result in a slightly inflamed and itchy red bump resembling an insect bite or allergic reaction. Moderate bites can turn into large, swollen skin welts over 2 inches wide surrounded by a bright red ring.

Severe Necrotic Wounds

Image shows a deep, ulcerated wound from a severe violin spider bite

In severe cases where medical care is delayed, nasty-looking wounds can develop as the venom kills skin tissue down through subcutaneous fat. An expanding sore forms, eventually leaving a crater-like lesion that slowly oozes and heals over weeks to months.

Healing Bite Scars

Image shows a brown round scar left after a violin spider bite healed

Successfully treated bites often heal completely. But some severe bites result in a rounded light brown scar where skin has regenerated. The scar fades over the year after the bite.

Differences From Other Spider Bites

While all spider bites have some similarities, there are some unique characteristics of violin spider bites compared to bites from black widows, brown spiders, hobo spiders, and other species:

Black Widow Bites

Black widows leave two visible fang punctures, while violin spider bites show no obvious puncture marks.
Black widow bites usually hurt right away; violin spider bites turn painful over hours.
Muscle aches, abdominal pain, and nausea are common with black widows but rare with violin spiders.

Brown Spider Bites

Brown spiders form a blister and wound quicker than violin spider bites.
Brown spider bites swell a lot for the first 24 hours; violin spider bites swell gradually.
The "violin" marking on Loxosceles species helps distinguish them from other generic brown spiders.

Hobo Spider Bites

Hobo spider bites rarely cause necrosis (death of skin tissue).
Hobo spider bite symptoms tend to peak within 24 hours then fade.
Hobo spiders have distinctive markings on their abdomens unlike violin spiders.

Getting medical care quickly can greatly improve bite recovery and reduce the likelihood of severe wounds from a violin spider.

First Aid for Violin Spider Bites

Here is some advice on first aid steps to take after a confirmed or suspected violin spider bite while waiting for or getting medical care:

Clean the bite area gently with mild soap and water.
Apply a cool compress to relieve swelling and pain.
Elevate the bite location if possible to reduce swelling.
Avoid using ice directly on bites to prevent cold damage.
Take an OTC pain medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve pain.
Consider giving the spider to medical staff for identification if possible.

Do not - Slice open bite, apply heat, or use home remedies like pastes on bites. Seek emergency care if symptoms seem severe or rapidly get worse.

Quick medical treatment and monitoring leads to much better healing of violin spider bites. Antibiotics and/or steroids may be prescribed to prevent or control skin necrosis and secondary infections.

FAQs

Where are violin spiders normally found?

Violin spiders are usually found in warmer climates across the southern, central, and midwestern United States. They like to hide in dark, dry, sheltered areas like attics, basements, garages, sheds, woodpiles, or crawl spaces.

What should I do if I'm bitten by a violin spider?

If bitten, clean the wound then apply ice or a cool compress. Elevate the area if possible to reduce swelling. Take an over-the-counter pain medicine if needed for pain relief. Seek medical care for monitoring and treatment, even if symptoms seem mild at first.

How dangerous or deadly are violin spider bites?

While their venom can damage skin tissue, violin spider bites are rarely fatal. Only about 10% of bites cause severe reactions. Still, the bites can leave deep, slow-healing wounds if not treated promptly. Very young children, elderly, or those with weaker immune systems are at higher risk.

How can I reduce violin spiders in my home?

To deter violin spiders, vacuum and eliminate clutter often, seal cracks along floors or walls, install lighting in dark corners, use desiccant dusts, and contact a pest control expert if needed for severe infestations indoors.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.