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Comments & ID Thoughts
Hello All,
This little guy bit me about 4 days ago, the bite area has gotten progressively worse. Shading has gotten darker ( light purple but not deep purple or black) . Im aware that the Brown Recluse is not native to the SoCal area. Im in a considerable amount of pain but nothing that isnt manageable. Im scratching my head at what type of spider this is and if i need to seek the attention of my primary physician. I have been applying antibiotic ointment regularly for about two days now.
- Submitted by:
- Submitted: Feb 25, 2019
- Photographed: Feb 24, 2019
- Spider: Steatoda grossa (False Black Widow)
- Location: Los Angeles , California, United States
- Spotted Indoors: Other
- Found in web?: No
- Attributes: Dorsal
Apr 23, 2020
Apr 23, 2020
Wilsonville, 
Hi, this is a false widow, possibly Steatoda grossa. They are in the same family as black widows (Theridiidae). The venom isn’t as strong to humans, but is still painful and possibly necrotic. The severity of your reaction can depend on your immune system. It is possible to be allergic to spider venom in addition to the regular reaction. The fangs of a spider have bacteria on them, like most surfaces on Earth. The fangs break your skin and introduce bacteria to your body. That’s another immune system reaction. Antibiotic lotion may not be effective on anaerobic bacteria that are… Read more »
Hello Mam,
I genuinely appreciate the sound advice and apparent display of expertise. I didn’t want to over/under react, however i am at the mercy of my own ignorance it appears. Thanks again !
Hi, I hope you’re feeling better. I understand. You kind of just summed up life itself in your last message. I had an immune system over-reaction that turned a hornet sting into a benign tumor between my eyes. I hit the hornet into my face because I had sunglasses on. The stinger broke off. I didn’t know that a sting turning into a tumor months later was something that could happen. I didn’t see a doctor because I figured it had to be something that would go away. I got nagged by a lot of people, my best friend said… Read more »