Spider Bite

  I was bitten by a spider, four days ago on my thumb.  Since then I have had a weakness in my left leg, although the bite was on my right hand.  I am now experiencing a pain in my shoulder, right side, that travels up into my neck and down my arm. Is it possible that the symptoms I am experiencing are the result of the spider bite?  The bite was quite painful and swelled a bit before the pain subsided.  Any suggestions?
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Dear Jeanne,
Relative few spider species in North America possess mouth apparatus large
or venon strong enough to cause the symptoms you described.  However 2
species do fit the profile: Black widow, and brown spiders.
The bite from a "black widow" might not be initialy felt, but the person
bitten will develop, within a few hours, intense muscle pains, and at times
waves of intense generalized cramping pain.  One can also experience
shortness of breath, nausea, vertigo, headaches, profuse perspiration.
In adults all symptoms usually disappear within 2-3 days, but children and
elderly can be less tolerant of the effects of the venom.
The bite from a "brown spider" develops into a painful lesion aprox 2-6
hours later, and can present as a pustule with rings of ischemia (lack
of blood perfusion) and erythema ("redness").  One can also have more
generalized symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, vertigo,
muscle aches, joint pains.
Because of the possible severity of the generalized symptoms, I would
strongly recommend that you go to your local Emergency Room, if your
symptoms have not completely resolved yet.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.