Black widow spiders are fairly common in the Southern United
States U.S. They tend to nest and hide in sheds, garages and woodpiles.
This article will tell you what to do if you think you've been bitten by
a black widow spider.
A black widow spider bite might feel like a slight pin prick, or you may not feel it at all. The signs to look for are two faint red spots along with some slight redness at the spot of the bite.
There might only be slight swelling of the bite area followed by some mild to slightly severe pain which will travel up or down the bitten arm or leg, and settling in the back and abdomen area.
Other symptoms might be muscle and foot pain, and your eyelids may become swollen. Black widow spiders will inject a toxin (neurotoxin) that affects the nervous system. Muscle and chest pain are some of the most common reactions to the black widow toxin. Other symptoms may be profuse perspiration, nausea, tremors, shortness of breath, and vomiting.
In more serious cases you may experience clammy skin, a weak pulse, unconsciousness, or convulsions. Only the bite of the adult female is potentially dangerous. Although painful and debilitating for a short period of time, fatalities from untreated widow bites are quite uncommon.
If you or someone you know is bitten, remain calm, collect the spider in a jar, if possible (for positive identification later) and seek medical attention as soon as possible. You should also clean the bite area with soap and water and apply ice or a cold compress over the bite area and keep it elevated to about the same level as the heart.
Finally, contact your physician, hospital or the Poison control hotline in your area for assistance. The application of a mild antiseptic like iodine or hydrogen peroxide can help control and prevent potential infection of the bite area. It is important to keep the patient calm and comfortable.
As with most cases of this sort, the eldery, very young, and persons with a history of high blood pressure are at greatest risk.
In the most extreme instances, doctors might inject calcium gluconate to neutralize the effects of the black widow toxin.
