Replying to Hobo Spider....

I think I got bit by one last night or this morning. All day skiing today, it felt like i had a bruise on my shin, kinda like boot bang. I was like "weird, this is only my second day skiing and I haven't been landing that badly..." So I go home, with my ski socks on, get home and take them off. Examining the area, it looks like a mosquito bite. But then I notice its white in the center, and in the very very center, theres a black dot...

So I call the nurse hotline after spending a few minutes reading up about Hobo Spiders. I already have the feeling its one of these fuckers, since we've caught a few in our house this year (we ID'ed them cause we were wondering if spiders that big were poisonous - they are). After talking with the girl, I definently have something. Could be a hobo, could be something else that just got infected. Ew. She refers me to poison control, and the guy takes me a little more seriously, and gives me more advice. If it swells more (its kinda got fluid under it like a blister) then I'm going to the ER tomorrow (clinics are closed for the holiday, yay!).

Its not too too painful right now, it just aches like a bruise if I push on it. The 'ring' is freaking me out though. Apparently, some people are really allergic to hobo poison, and for them, bites swell suddenly after going down (about 24 hours after the bite) and can get to the size of a baseball. If untreated, this pops, and leaves a welt that doesnt heal for months. Fuck. Its right dead center in my shin, right against my boot. Stupid fucking spider, this could definently cut a month out of my ski season. I'll know by tomorrow I guess.