Home care for a brown recluse spider bite may include:

• Apply cold compresses:
• Apply for 20-30 minutes, every 1-2 hours, for the first few days.
• Clean the wound:
• Use mild soap and water.
• Gently dab the wound with hydrogen peroxide to remove clotted blood.
• Do not scrub the wound.
• Remove dirt or foreign material from the wound.
• Running water can help remove dirt.
• Apply antibiotic ointment.
• If the bite is on a limb, elevate the limb above the heart for 24 hours.
• Take prescribed medications as directed.
• Acetaminophen for pain
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain
• Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve)
• Ketoprofen (Orudis)
• Topical hydrocortisone cream for itching.

Tetanus Considerations
A tetanus shot is necessary right away if you have not had three tetanus shots in the past.

If you have received three tetanus shots in the past, you need a tetanus shot within three days if you have not had a tetanus shot in the past five years.