Black Widow Spider Bites
Summary: All spider bites contain venom, but some spiders have more powerful venom than others. The Black Widow spider has that reputation.
Okay! First thing, let's clear up a common misconception. The black widow female spider rarely consumes the male after mating. This means that all those jokes you have been telling comparing black widow spiders to your wife have got to stop. That said, let's talk turkey. I mean spiders.
Everyone worries about being bitten by certain types of spiders. But, spider bite reactions differ with every person. The severity of an individual's reaction to a black widow spider bite depends on lots of variables. For example, the area of the body bitten can make a difference.
Bites to areas on the body that provide more direct access to main bloodstreams will naturally cause a faster, more intense reaction. The amount of spider venom injected will certainly be a factor in your reaction. Spiders control the amount of venom they inject and venom volume can vary greatly with each bite.
Of course, an individual's sensitivity to the venom is a major factor. Some people report very intense pain from the bite, while others do not even know they have been bitten. It is not unusual for the black widow spider bite to go unnoticed, but some people report a short stabbing pain. At first, there may be slight swelling on the skin surface and two faint red spots, which are puncture points from the fangs. Pain soon begins and usually progresses from the bite site to the abdomen and back.
Severe cramping or stiffness may occur in the abdominal muscles. Other symptoms may include nausea, profuse perspiration, tremors, labored breathing, restlessness, increased blood pressure, and fever. Symptoms often diminish after a day or so and cease after several days. Serious long-term complications or death is very rare.
- If bitten, remain calm, collect the spider, if possible, for positive identification and get medical attention immediately.
- Clean the site well with soap and wate. Apply a cool compress over the bite location and keep the affected limb elevated to about heart level.
- Contact your physician, hospital and/or Poison Control Center. Application of a mild antiseptic such as iodine or hydrogen peroxide prevents infection. Try to keep the patient quiet and warm.
- The very old, very young, and those with a history of high blood pressure are at greatest risk. Prompt medical treatment can greatly reduce the danger.
- In severe cases, physicians can intravenously inject calcium gluconate to counteract most effects of the toxin. A black widow antiserum also is available.
- Don't try to suck out the poison. It doesn't work.
Now that we've saved your life we can safely ask, why are you putting your hands and/or feet in places where spiders are hiding? Yuck!
Comments
Sarah
10 Jan 2010, 23:35
10 Jan 2010, 23:35
I think my 13 year old daughter was bit by a black widow about 2 weeks ago.
She did not feel it when it bit her, but when she was in the shower and
touched the bite she said it tingled down to her spine. She has not been
able to lift her arm for 2 weeks now and our doctor is unsure what to do
for her. He has her having a MRI tomorrow! Any suggestions on what we
should do?
Alida
03 Mar 2010, 01:39
03 Mar 2010, 01:39
I got bit by the creepy critter in early June of 2009. I had no idea I had
gotten bit. I started having drawing in my hands that completely drew hands
stiff and continued into my face and then lower extremeties. I could not
stand, much less walk. I became very short of breath, hypotensive and
tachycardic. I was taken to the ER by the rescue squad that I am an EMT
with and my fellow EMS people were as terrified as I was!
My entire body was drawing and cramping. I have NEVER experienced such pain.....from my hips down and out my toes was like a constant non stop muscle cramp that was EXTREMELY painful. My feet drew inward and downward, my ankles looked like they were dislocated. This lasted for about 4 hours, which I spend laying in the ER screaming, crying and begging for someone to make it stop!
I was given numerous medications that had no effect at all. We had no idea that I had been biten until 2 days later, still in the hospital, I finally became fully awake and alert and found the bite area on the upper part of my left breast. At that time I remembered it feeling like there was something crawling in my bra about 30 minutes after the initial symptoms started.
The ER doctor decided to give my IV Valium because nothing else was helping, and it was a life saver!!!
As far as long term problems, I to have had severe leg pain, esp my right leg ever since. My regular doctor is still trying to get this pain "managed" today.
I never in my entire life had a fear of the creepy crawlers, but let me tell you......that has changed tremendously!! I think that anyone who has experienced the intense pain from a black widow bite, or had to watch a loved one go through it would 100% understand....IF I SEE THEM..THEY WILL BE KILLED..I NEVER EVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN!!!!!
My entire body was drawing and cramping. I have NEVER experienced such pain.....from my hips down and out my toes was like a constant non stop muscle cramp that was EXTREMELY painful. My feet drew inward and downward, my ankles looked like they were dislocated. This lasted for about 4 hours, which I spend laying in the ER screaming, crying and begging for someone to make it stop!
I was given numerous medications that had no effect at all. We had no idea that I had been biten until 2 days later, still in the hospital, I finally became fully awake and alert and found the bite area on the upper part of my left breast. At that time I remembered it feeling like there was something crawling in my bra about 30 minutes after the initial symptoms started.
The ER doctor decided to give my IV Valium because nothing else was helping, and it was a life saver!!!
As far as long term problems, I to have had severe leg pain, esp my right leg ever since. My regular doctor is still trying to get this pain "managed" today.
I never in my entire life had a fear of the creepy crawlers, but let me tell you......that has changed tremendously!! I think that anyone who has experienced the intense pain from a black widow bite, or had to watch a loved one go through it would 100% understand....IF I SEE THEM..THEY WILL BE KILLED..I NEVER EVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN!!!!!
jhonny
06 Mar 2010, 20:18
06 Mar 2010, 20:18
I got bitten by a black widow spider three times yesterday. My leg was
painful. I could walk but it superpainful. I didn't know it was a spider
bite until I saw the darn thing crawling out of my jeans.
Luckily I didn't have any serious symptoms. It's been almost a day and a half and hopefully the venom in my body has made its way out of the important systems in my body.
All the bites are just red dots. But they sting a bit.
I'm taking too medications. Valium is one of them. Hopefully by Monday I'll be ok.
But yeah every time I see one in my room I will kill them. All kinds of spiders. They will die!
Luckily I didn't have any serious symptoms. It's been almost a day and a half and hopefully the venom in my body has made its way out of the important systems in my body.
All the bites are just red dots. But they sting a bit.
I'm taking too medications. Valium is one of them. Hopefully by Monday I'll be ok.
But yeah every time I see one in my room I will kill them. All kinds of spiders. They will die!
angela
20 Mar 2010, 01:28
20 Mar 2010, 01:28
I would def like to know what the long term effects actually are. All I
have been finding is that "they are rare". I got bit by a widow on my neck
about 9 yrs ago (was in my sweater and I was playing basketball). I
started halucinating and the left side of my face turned bright red and hot
to the touch. The first doctor told me it was a side affect from a house
spider...yes he actually has a medical license...haha but the second doctor
who I saw weeks later knew what it was right away and got me on some meds
(about 2 weeks after the bite I started the meds because I was still having
problems). To this day, I still suffer from the same problems I had after
the bite (muscle weakness and bouts of extreme fatigue). My doctor had to
give me a note for gym because if I was required to run I wouldn't beable
to function the rest of the day. Some might say it doesn't sound like the
spider bite could cause those symptoms but I never had them until after I
got bitten so I've concluded that everyone gets affected differently from
the bites. The fact there is no information on what long term effects can
actually be is a sign.
Stacy
09 May 2010, 23:22
09 May 2010, 23:22
To those of you who find it inhumane to kill a black widow, you must have
never been bitten by one. The pain and residual neural problems make you
want to kill any spider that you ever see!!!!!!
Amanda
03 Jun 2010, 23:29
03 Jun 2010, 23:29
I was bit by a black widow when I was 7 1/2 months pregnant. It not only
put me in the worst pain I had ever in my life been in, but it also threw
me in to premature labor. They were able to stop the labor and get my pain
under control after many doses of strong pain med. I have no hesitation
killing a black widow. I don't do it to teach it a lesson. It is because
of the lesson I learned the hard way of getting bit by a black widow. I
don't ever want my children to go through the pain I went through.
RK
21 Jun 2010, 20:58
21 Jun 2010, 20:58
I was bitten 10 1/2 months ago and am still dealing with some neurological
effects.
At the end of July '09 I was bitten as I tried to kill one near to where my kids were playing. I was wearing shorts and flip flops. I missed it with the stick I had and didn't see where it went.
I didn't think it got on me and didn't even feel the bite and DID NOT have a bite mark. I thought you had to have a mark so I didn't go to the doctor when all the classic symptoms began the next morning. leg cramps, nausea, chills, extra salivation and extreme sweats. This lasted 2-3 days, and then I thought I was fine.....wrong!!!
6 weeks after the bite a whole new set of symptoms kicked in, mostly in my digestive tract but also in my extremities, tongue and eyelids. It felt like I had jalepeno sauce for blood and guts. Terrible burning would come and go and I lost my sense of being hungry,as well as became extremely fatigued.
I'm 43 and in good shape with no previous health issues to confuse this with.
I ended up dropping from 155 pounds to 147 with full on panic attacks that lasted about 3 months. (not fun, never had one before).
Anyway, after 2 trips to the ER, CAT scans, ultra sounds ekg's MRI's radiological scans, extensive blood and urine lab work, endoscopy, colonoscopy with biopsies, all the results show me thankfully normal. In short, everwhere I've looked and every expert I've spoken with has said there is no diagnostic test for latrodectism (black widow envenomation).
Merck makes the antivenin which can only be taken once in a life time because of possible extreme reactions the 2nd time around, and the antivenin is only useful to stop the pain and poison during the first 90 hrs after the bite. The post that long term "residual symptoms" may last weeks or months and they have a list of some of these symptoms. They must have some study to state this on their page, but I haven't been able to find it.
I got my digestion and weight back on track in March 2010, but was one terrible time until that happened.
If you can't find good info under Black widow bites try searching on latrodectism research papers.
Good luck to everyone whose been bit.
At the end of July '09 I was bitten as I tried to kill one near to where my kids were playing. I was wearing shorts and flip flops. I missed it with the stick I had and didn't see where it went.
I didn't think it got on me and didn't even feel the bite and DID NOT have a bite mark. I thought you had to have a mark so I didn't go to the doctor when all the classic symptoms began the next morning. leg cramps, nausea, chills, extra salivation and extreme sweats. This lasted 2-3 days, and then I thought I was fine.....wrong!!!
6 weeks after the bite a whole new set of symptoms kicked in, mostly in my digestive tract but also in my extremities, tongue and eyelids. It felt like I had jalepeno sauce for blood and guts. Terrible burning would come and go and I lost my sense of being hungry,as well as became extremely fatigued.
I'm 43 and in good shape with no previous health issues to confuse this with.
I ended up dropping from 155 pounds to 147 with full on panic attacks that lasted about 3 months. (not fun, never had one before).
Anyway, after 2 trips to the ER, CAT scans, ultra sounds ekg's MRI's radiological scans, extensive blood and urine lab work, endoscopy, colonoscopy with biopsies, all the results show me thankfully normal. In short, everwhere I've looked and every expert I've spoken with has said there is no diagnostic test for latrodectism (black widow envenomation).
Merck makes the antivenin which can only be taken once in a life time because of possible extreme reactions the 2nd time around, and the antivenin is only useful to stop the pain and poison during the first 90 hrs after the bite. The post that long term "residual symptoms" may last weeks or months and they have a list of some of these symptoms. They must have some study to state this on their page, but I haven't been able to find it.
I got my digestion and weight back on track in March 2010, but was one terrible time until that happened.
If you can't find good info under Black widow bites try searching on latrodectism research papers.
Good luck to everyone whose been bit.
Joe
06 Jul 2010, 22:08
06 Jul 2010, 22:08
I was bitten about 5 years ago. that time I saw the spider. About 3 days
ago I got bitten again, this time I didn't but knew with the symptoms,
exactly what it was. It took some coaxing at the Er to convince the doctor
to admit me, but after a few hours, she did. She said it was because I was
still profusely sweating after getting lots of pain meds. I ended up with a
really good doctor who put me on a PCA pump for 2 days, but I really wanted
to come home today, so I opted for oral meds. I think it was a mistake. the
pain is starting to ramp up again, and I am starting to have some neuro
problems in my arm and chest wall. If it doesn't get better, I think I may
have no choice but to go back. I hate these little spiders. I think I'm
going to move back to a colder climate!!
RK
07 Jul 2010, 20:09
07 Jul 2010, 20:09
Joe,
Can I ask you what the neurological problems in your arm and chest feel like? Everyone experiences them differently, so I'm curious if it's similar to what happened in my case. I'm coming up on the 1 year anniversary of my bite, and even today, under my ribs on either side of my sternum I still have a scratchy irritating mild pain.
Thanks,
RK
Can I ask you what the neurological problems in your arm and chest feel like? Everyone experiences them differently, so I'm curious if it's similar to what happened in my case. I'm coming up on the 1 year anniversary of my bite, and even today, under my ribs on either side of my sternum I still have a scratchy irritating mild pain.
Thanks,
RK
Sonya DeLange
12 Jul 2010, 19:16
12 Jul 2010, 19:16
I was bit by a spider (I never saw it) June 2009 on my little toe on my
right foot. I did not feel the bite, either, and as the day progressed I
thought my shoe was rubbing my foot to cause my toe to hurt. The pain
became unbearable, intense as labor, and only prescription pain killers
were of any benefit. Now, over a year later, my little toe is numb but the
numbness is beginning to travel up my leg as far as my knee. Is anyone
experiencing this symptom?
Kevin
14 Jul 2010, 06:21
14 Jul 2010, 06:21
"The eggs are tangled in the spider's webbing, so it would be nearly
impossible to successfully move the egg mass. The widow is cannibalistic,
so only a very few of the eggs actually make it to the adult stage."
Some clarification on this to anyone who finds a nest with egg sacs. I own a black widow, she was pregnant when I found her curled up in the inside lining of a sweatshirt I had hanging in the garage. She has since laid a series of 6 egg sacs that have all hatched about 2-300 spiderlings each.
They will eat each other, but not for a few days. In the wild they hatch and rapidly disperse by trailing a line of silk into the wind until it catches on something.
So most will not survive, but mostly this is not due to them eating each other but instead the other thousands of things that can eat them (they are VERY tiny when they hatch). The mother will NOT each the spiderlings.
Oh, in case you were wondering the aquarium I have is AIR TIGHT. They have an extremely slow metabolic rate, so the air inside the tank ( 1/2 gallon ) is enough to last months and months.
One other thing.. even though I keep a single one as a 'pet' of sorts, I kill them with *extreme prejudice* whenever I find them outside or inside the house. They are no joke, and if there is any spider that deserves a healthy dose of fear and respect, this is it.
Some clarification on this to anyone who finds a nest with egg sacs. I own a black widow, she was pregnant when I found her curled up in the inside lining of a sweatshirt I had hanging in the garage. She has since laid a series of 6 egg sacs that have all hatched about 2-300 spiderlings each.
They will eat each other, but not for a few days. In the wild they hatch and rapidly disperse by trailing a line of silk into the wind until it catches on something.
So most will not survive, but mostly this is not due to them eating each other but instead the other thousands of things that can eat them (they are VERY tiny when they hatch). The mother will NOT each the spiderlings.
Oh, in case you were wondering the aquarium I have is AIR TIGHT. They have an extremely slow metabolic rate, so the air inside the tank ( 1/2 gallon ) is enough to last months and months.
One other thing.. even though I keep a single one as a 'pet' of sorts, I kill them with *extreme prejudice* whenever I find them outside or inside the house. They are no joke, and if there is any spider that deserves a healthy dose of fear and respect, this is it.
Laura
16 Jul 2010, 22:37
16 Jul 2010, 22:37
Today while weeding a very dense & overgrown section of my garden, I
discovered an adult black widow female in her web protecting 3-4 egg sacks.
I tried to kill her and her eggs by smashing her with a flat bottom
shovel. Upon lifting the shovel, I discovered that she died, but her egg
sacks just burst. Many, many babies ran in all directions.
As I was returning to my house, I felt a mild sting on my leg. I found several babies crawling on my ankle. I had an immediate burning sensation that has progressed to an uncomfortable, unrelenting cramping/burning sensation from the site of the bite (just above the ankle) to just below my knee. The pain is not enough seek serious medical attention, but enough to be a constant reminder that I have been bit.
I have no other symptoms, and there is no visible bite. Most sources state that young widows are harmless. However, the discomfort I feel from this is entering into the 11th hour. Much longer than a bee sting.
As I was returning to my house, I felt a mild sting on my leg. I found several babies crawling on my ankle. I had an immediate burning sensation that has progressed to an uncomfortable, unrelenting cramping/burning sensation from the site of the bite (just above the ankle) to just below my knee. The pain is not enough seek serious medical attention, but enough to be a constant reminder that I have been bit.
I have no other symptoms, and there is no visible bite. Most sources state that young widows are harmless. However, the discomfort I feel from this is entering into the 11th hour. Much longer than a bee sting.