The Loxosceles poisonous spiders may soon also be native to Germany.
A bite from the eight-legged creatures can rot the skin.
The spider genus Loxosceles is spreading in Europe - soon probably also in Germany.
It poses a danger to humans because, unlike native spider species such as the house spider or Nosferatu spider, the representatives of this genus do not seek closeness to humans and do not frighten them with their size.
Instead, they prefer dark drawers, closets and clothes and hide in bedding,
echo24.de
reports .
Loxosceles spiders: spread through globalization
The species occurring in Europe, Loxosceles laeta and Loxosceles rufescens, can therefore be found everywhere due to displacement.
Climate change and globalization encourage them to become domestic.
They are among the worst members of the Chilean angle spider genus — and one of the five most dangerous spiders in the world.
They only bite when they feel threatened or crushed.
This can be dangerous for people.
The consequences of a bite are rotting of the skin, in extreme cases it can also lead to death.
Loxosceles: symptoms only after several hours
The bite of a Loxosceles spider resembles a mosquito bite and is very inconspicuous at first.
"In addition to other proteins, the venom contains the sphingomyelinase D toxin, which can cause skin necrosis or, in the worst case, hemolysis with acute kidney failure," according to the
Deutsches Ärzteblatt
.
Accordingly, the bites are only noticed after hours and result in the rotting of the skin.
If people suspect they have been bitten by a Loxosceles spider, they should consult a doctor quickly and inform them about the possibility of a spider bite — to avoid misdiagnosis.
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The bite of a Loxosceles spider can rot the skin.
© IMAGO/lkpro
Spider Bite: Symptoms can lead to tissue scarring
The effects of a Loxosceles bite are manifested after two to eight hours by severe swelling, localized bluish discoloration of the skin, skin necrosis, lymphangitis, cellulitis, wheal formation, edema formation and visible reddening of the skin, according to
toxinfo.com
.
After 24 to 48 hours, muscle, joint and headaches are added.
Fever, chills, blistering, central blanching of the erythema, and the onset of irregularly circumscribed dry necrosis may also follow.
This can lead to scarring of the tissue.
After two to three days, acute kidney failure due to hemolysis and death can occur.
Loxosceles bites: Germany is preparing for the spread
More and more poisonous spiders are also becoming native to Germany.
This is how to prepare for the spread of the Loxosceles spiders.
According to experts, it is only a matter of time before the Loxosceles spider species also spreads in this country.
The
Deutsches Ärzteblatt
refers to a Brazilian study on the treatment of Loxosceles bites.
Accordingly, timely injections are important to limit the extent of skin necrosis after bites.
(hk)
List of rubrics: © IMAGO/lkpro
