Possible spider bite?

Dreya · #1 (**permalink**) 27-08-2010, 08:25 PM

Hi there,
I am new to this forum. I am mad about snakes, but have never been that bothered about spiders... until recently both my husband and I got bitten while we slept during the night.

Now I dont want to blame an innocent spider for what could be another bugs nastiness, but the bites somehow feel spidery. Any ideas what could have bitten us?

The bites have happened on 4 occasions. Mostly to our lower legs. Only one bite at a time.
The bites are initially red and swollen lumps that itch and are slightly sore. More an irritation than a concern. But later the area around them gets larger and much more red. My husbands are now very black marks like a bruise with a red sore as the centre.
I did not really worry that much till I saw how big and black the 2 bites on my husbands legs were. So I have not really looked at them to see if there are bite marks etc. Mine were a month ago and all cleared up now, although one left a small lumpy scar.
I change the sheets and duvet weekly. I can't see how a spider can keep sneaking back into our bed, or why it even would. Or why it would bite time and again.
So it very well may be something else.
Our house is in Kent in Sevenoaks. Lots of trees and millions of spiders all around. But as we have a cat that brings in bugs and sand etc it could pretty much be anything. Any ideas what is biting us?

Sorry about the long post and thanks for the help.

John_M · #2 (**permalink**) 27-08-2010, 09:12 PM

I would think it's unlikely to be a spider that's biting you; I don't really understand what you mean by saying the bites feel 'spidery'. There are any number of insects that could have bitten you, but in my experience spiders are not likely candidates, as they very seldom bite unless provoked.
Without in any way meaning to be offensive, given that you have a cat, then they are more likely to be flea bites. Does the cat sleep in or on your bed? Even cats that are deflead regularly still bring the odd flea in - I have 4 cats, so I know this to be true...
Short of catching or at least seeing whatever is responsible, it is pretty much impossible to say what it is.

No.9 Spider · #3 (**permalink**) 27-08-2010, 09:14 PM

I can't imagine for one minute that a spider/spiders would be responsible. Spider bites are quite rare and certainly isolated incidents. Though they could be trapped in bedsheets and bite defensively, the likelihood of it happening once are remote and on a number of occasions practically an improbability. I'd look to your cat personally.

No.9 Spider

Dreya · #4 (**permalink**) 28-08-2010, 07:21 AM

Thanks guys!
You are all probably right. I cant imagine a spider even getting into my bed once, or staying there after my cleaning regime.
I will have a little chat to the cat and see if we can find anything lurking on him.
The bites are not really the kind you get from fleas, or ticks, or even bed bugs. So I will have a bit of investigating to do. But I am sure I will find the culprit eventually. Thanks for the help!