Corner spider: how to recognize it and what to do after a bite

He is a silent and lonely guest of many houses because it could be perfectly hidden in a hard-to-reach corner all year round. However, when the high temperatures start to be felt more, he is seen in public more than ever.

We are talking about corner chandelier (Loxosceles laeta), a species native to South America and very common to observe in Chile in spring and summer.

For some people, just hearing that there is one inside the house causes a bit of fear and the urge to run away. And although he is not large and is not aggressive, he is among the most dangerous in our country.

According to Catholic University School of Medicine , The body of this arachnid can measure up to 12mm long, while its legs extend even up to 45mm.

Most of its body is brownish brown. “On its dorsal part, it has black lines, shaped like a violin, and it has six eyes. Its size is small and it runs quite fast,” Marcela Cárcamo, veterinarian and epidemiologist at the Department of Epidemiology and Health Studies at the University of the Andes, explains to La Tercera.

If there’s something the local spider doesn’t like at all, it’s light, which is why it can usually be seen at night. This leads it to hide in dark and dry corners, cupboards or tables, which have not been intervened or cleaned.

“The spider is there all year round, but during this period of high temperatures it appears more because that’s when it can reproduce. There are also more calves and males,” emphasizes Cárcamo.

A key point to consider is that he is shy in nature and does not attack suddenly. On the contrary, it bites and injects its venom when it feels threatened or has been attacked.

“Usually it happens when you are sleeping, it appears on your pillow and you remove it because you feel something is happening, then the spider bites,” emphasizes the epidemiologist.

It has been found that the areas of the body most affected by bites are also the face, arms and legs.

For the epidemiologist, the way to act in the event of a suspected bite from this arachnid is essential so that the situation does not worsen and does not lead to more serious consequences.

There are two clinical conditions associated with this bite, depending on the Ministry of Health . The first is cutaneous loxoscelism, which occurs in the majority of cases – 80% -, where the affected area begins to become inflamed and intense and progressive pain is felt. Over time, the area turns a purple or bluish color with a black center.

In second place, we find visceral cutaneous loxoscelism, less common but It can be fatal if the bite is not treated early or in time. This already happens when the poison has spread and there is a systemic compromise.

The important thing, Cárcamo emphasizes, is to act soon after the bite and not to minimize the importance of the situation.

The first step is to apply something cold to reduce inflammation in the affected area and prevent the poison from continuing to spread to the rest of the body. You can use ice, gel or water.

“Then you should go to a health center or medical consultation to report what happened, so they can confirm that it was indeed this spider.” says the epidemiologist. There, patients must continue the treatment indicated by healthcare professionals.

Cárcamo says there are some basic steps to follow to care for this arachnid and its venom during this season of high temperatures. Some of them are:

• Clean corners of the house regularly, especially those that receive less light
• Shake clothes, towels and shoes frequently
• If during the holidays you go to a house that has not been cleaned for a long time, know that the probability of having a corner spider is high.
• Separate beds from walls or windows before sleeping

“You should also not relax during times when the spider does not appear as frequently, such as in winter. “Prevention, particularly in terms of cleaning, must always be” he concludes.