User talk:Dryvonne

"Granddaddy Long Legs" Spider (Ichthalious Arachnid)

A newly published study by Withrow Martin and Associates (WMA) have found that the Ichthalious Arachnid, or what we know as the "Granddaddy Long Legs", are in fact carriers of toxic and poisonous venom. Over the years studies have shown that the spider may carry minute amounts of venom but lacked the ability to inject their venom into their hosts. There were several theories that shed light on this but there were no scientific proof. Recently studies have proven otherwise.

Since August 2008, there have been several reported spider bites believed to be by the granddaddy long legs. On December 9, 2008 WMA released a report stating that in fact some types of this spider do carry and release a toxic venom into their hosts that may cause serious skin irritations or worse. This has been closely compared to the venomous reaction to the bite of a brown recluse.

The strain of granddaddy long legs that have been confirmed to be able to release their venom can vary in size between 2 and 6 inches in diameter and contain tiny red bulbous like venom sacks on their thin hairlike legs. It is said that the spider does not have the ability actually bite but can project the venom from the sacks on their legs up to an 8 inch range or by injecting it through tiny needle-like barbs on the ends of their legs.

The symptoms of the venomous contact may include but are not limited to dry scaly skin around the affected area, redness, swelling, itching, radiation of heat and appearance of puss pockets that may ooze or burst. Dark discoloration under the skin may occur as the flesh dies. All wounds must be kept clean and dry to avoid spreading of the poisonous venom to other areas of the skin and possibly the central nervous system.

At this time the only treatment available to reduce further complications is a course of oral and injectable antibiotics. If you feel that you may have come in contact with this spider and experience any of the above mentioned symptoms, you should contact your physician and Center for Disease Control (CDC) immediately. Delay in treatment may prove to be irreversible or even fatal.

Please view photos included below for examples.

Dr. Yvonne S., MD, TBS, FYA 2008 (HEAFCH 2009)