Genus: Cheiracanthium
Distribution: world-wide
Characteristics:
(1) The 2 front legs are relatively long compared to the other six.
(2) The spiders are pale in color.
(3) The spider has a silken retreat or sac where it hides during the day.
(4) The spiders are attracted to hydrocarbons in gasoline.
Bites may occur:
(1) outdoors during the summer (in the garden, under leaves)
(2) indoors
Features of a bite:
(1) The bite may be painless, painful or have a burning sensation.
(2) The bite may be followed by erythema, a rash, swelling or blistering.
(3) Occasionally a patient may experience mild systemic symptoms.
(4) The patient may develop a necrotic ulcer that may take several weeks to heal.
The bite is often misdiagnosed as a brown recluse spider bite, but it tends to be less severe and faster healing.
