North Carolina Bugs That Imitate Brown Recluse Bites

Brown recluse spiders are an much-feared species in the southern United States. This spider's venom can be deadly, but the most common symptom is a bull's-eye rash that develops into an open wound that can take months to heal. Rashes like this are often caused by other insects or spiders, but are misdiagnosed as brown recluse bites. Contact a doctor if you have a bull's-eye rash that does not heal after a few days.

Ticks

• Deer tick bites, which can lead to Lyme disease, can cause a bull's-eye rash similar to a brown recluse spider's bite. This rash often appears within two weeks of the bite, but can take up to 30 days to develop. The rash will often feel warm to the touch, but will not feel itchy or painful. It will often heal itself after a month, and is commonly considered a precursor to Lyme disease, though not all Lyme Disease patients experience a bull's-eye rash. If you develop the rash and it is accompanied by flu-like symptoms, joint pain or facial paralysis, contact your doctor immediately.

Yellow Sac Spiders

• Yellow sac spider bites are commonly misdiagnosed as brown recluse spider bites. This spider, which is found in the eastern United States, is pale yellow with no conspicuous markings. The spider will bite if it is disturbed or threatened. Its bites cause necrosis, as those of brown recluse spiders do, but are less severe and heal much more quickly. If you experience a bite like this, ice and elevate the area and keep it clean. Consult a medical professional if the wound gets worse or takes more than a few days to start healing.

Other Spiders

• Many other spider bites can cause wounds similar to a brown recluse, including the hobo spider, wolf spider, tarantula and the orbweaver spider. As with the yellow sac spider bite, if you experience a bite that develops into an open wound with a bull's-eye rash, ice and elevate the area and clean it regularly. Consult a medical professional if your wound or other symptoms get worse or take more than a few days to start healing.

Other Insects

• The bull's-eye rashes can also be caused by common household bugs, including fleas, bed bugs, flies, mites, ants and blister beetles. These bites will often be less severe than spider bites, but it is a good idea to ice and elevate the area. If the bite is accompanied by other symptoms, such as flu-like symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.

Other Conditions

• All bull's-eye rashes are not necessarily caused by some sort of insect or spider bite. The circular rash can also be caused by a bacterial infection like antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, herpes outbreaks, bedsores or poison oak. As with treating bites, be sure to keep the wound clean and see a doctor if it gets worse or does not appear to be healing after a few days. If the wound is accompanied with other symptoms, like dizziness or nausea, see a doctor immediately.