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The black widow spider makes a venom that affects your nervous system. Some people are slightly affected by it, but others may have a serious response. The bite might leave two fang marks. Other ...
Jun 29, 2023 · Most spider bites are harmless. The exceptions in the United States are bites from the brown recluse spider (which can cause a painful skin ulcer and tissue death) and a black widow spider (which can cause severe, whole-body symptoms). Even so, deaths from a brown recluse and black widow spider bite are rare.
- Overview
- Identifying a Bite from a Black Widow Spider
- Treating the Black Widow Spider Bite
- Recognizing a Black Widow Spider
Most spider bites are harmless. It is sometimes difficult to tell a spider bite from another insect sting or bite, or even just a mild skin infection. Always seek medical attention if you are not sure of what caused a serious bite or sting, especially if you begin to develop symptoms. The two most common poisonous spiders found in the United States...
Recognize a bite from a black widow spider.
Black widow spiders have fangs. When bitten, two small puncture wounds are usually visible.
As the venom from the bite spreads, the area develops a target-like appearance. The fang marks are in the center, surrounded by an area of reddened skin, then another circle of red just a little further beyond the center.
The fang marks are visible immediately. Redness and swelling of the area where the bite occurred develops rapidly, usually within an hour.
Pain typically starts within the hour and can quickly spread from the site to systemic areas such as the abdomen, chest area, or back.
This is not always the case, but this is the classic description for the pattern that develops from a black widow spider bite.
The first step in treatment is to stay calm and safely identify the spider.
Wash the area with mild soap and water and use ice applications or a cold cloth to help prevent swelling.
Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Use a towel or soft and clean cloth between the skin and the ice-filled baggie or cold pack.
Elevate the area that was bitten if possible and practical.
Take an over-the-counter product to help with pain and/or inflammation such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin. Be sure to follow the directions on the label.
According to reports from poison control centers in the United States, more than 2500 incidents of black widow spider bites are reported each year in the United States. Go to an urgent care clinic or hospital emergency room.
Identify the black widow spider without disturbing it.
The unique marking of a female black widow spider is the bright red hourglass shape on the underneath part of its abdomen.
The female spider has a black and shiny body with a large and round abdomen. The body is about 1 and ½ inches in length, and the entire spider, legs and all, is more than 1 inch across.
They have fangs that are a little shorter than those of other spiders, yet still long enough to penetrate human skin.
Black widow spiders are reported to be commonly found in the southern and western regions of the United States. Other sources and statistics report frequent sightings as far west as California, all along the eastern seaboard, south to Florida, and north as far as Okanagan in BC and central Alberta in Canada.
Spot possible places where they like to live.
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Jun 30, 2022 · The black widow spider is common in the U.S. and tropical areas. They may appear black with red markings, or brown with a white abdomen. The venom from a black widow bite can cause mild to severe symptoms. These include pain, redness, swelling, muscle rigidity, tissue damage, nausea, and increased blood pressure.
Nov 9, 2023 · What are the symptoms of a black widow spider bite? Black widow spiders have large fangs and glands that produce very toxic venom. When bitten, the venom attacks the nerve endings in your muscles, causing symptoms such as severe, bodywide muscle pain and cramping. However, only the female black widow bites.
Jul 27, 2023 · The black widow spider rarely bites people, but when it does, its venom can cause an unpleasant reaction. It is not usually fatal, but it can be dangerous to children, older people, and during ...
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Of the 30,000 types of spiders, the black widow is probably the one best known and feared. Although spiders are often blamed for all kinds of symptoms, from local itching to diffuse rashes, the fact is that spiders rarely bite humans, and in fact, most spider bites do not even break the skin.
