Wow, fourth brown recluse bite!
I hope you are able to get some of the supplies I mentioned; they really work and helped us avoid the doctor completely! Most importantly, there was no suffering or compromise to the immune system.
It is most effective when applied immediately, but you can also use it at any time for healing benefits.
Dinah, I'm so glad you were able to stock up just in case - hope you never need them but you can always use them for numerous other health and even beauty (the clay) benefits. Because they stay "good" for so long, I consider it a very worthy investment to keep on hand exclusively for spider/insect bites.