Question: I was treated for a spider bite on my shin in August. At first it was a little superficial sore on my leg, but it has grown into a major wound. What can I do about it?


Dr. Hibberd's answer:

Your spider bite was actually a staph infection that has proceeded the way all staph infections do....it has enlarged into an abscess. Medications are not the answer here. This must be opened and drained so as the purulent material can escape. Local care is often all that is needed. Usually an iodoform packing will be placed to prevent the open area from closing up again. These conditions must be unroofed and managed properly or deep tissue invasion and blood stream infection may occur. See your doctor without delay. If your doctor is not comfortable with drainage, ask to be referred to a surgeon, or go to the nearest emergency department. By the way, spider bites may complicate to need tissue debridement to prevent abscess formation also, but the vast majority of spider bite complaints we see are actually infections of community acquires MRSA (staph) and need aggressive intervention, and meticulous hand washing as they are very contagious.