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Loxosceles spider bite incidents in South America

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2026-10-30 18:16 UTC → 2026-11-01 02:19 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Medical reports from Peru and Chile have highlighted severe kidney complications linked to different causes. In Peru, a patient underwent surgery to remove a kidney following a massive infection caused by stones. In Chile, health authorities in the Coquimbo region issued an alert following fatal and critical incidents involving the “rincón” spider (Loxosceles). A 26-year-old man died in La Serena after a bite, leading his family to question the administration of an antidote. Hospital officials stated that Ministry of Health guidelines do not recommend an antidote in such cases. A second victim, a 27-year-old man, was hospitalized in intensive care at the Hospital Provincial de Ovalle with severe renal failure and liver involvement. While his condition has shown favorable evolution, doctors remain uncertain about long-term effects. Medical ~~experts~~ experts, including Cecilia Echeverría from the Universidad del Alba, note that while many bites do not cause serious complications, the venom can lead to loxoscelism, which causes skin necrosis and internal organ damage. These spiders typically inhabit dark, dry, and undisturbed areas such as closets, warehouses, and behind furniture. Bites often occur when the arachnids feel threatened or become trapped in clothing, footwear, or bedding. Symptoms to monitor include intense pain, progressive redness, swelling, fever, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine. Health officials warned that spider activity increases during warmer months, typically between October and March. To prevent accidents, officials recommend inspecting clothing, shoes, and beds, ~~as well as~~ shaking out items before use, wearing gloves when handling stored objects, and cleaning behind furniture or in dark storage areas.

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