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
12 Nov 2008, 15:21
I did not feel the bite when it happened but pain and redness set in within 20 minutes.
The VERY WORST PAIN I have endured came a couple of hours later. My body was wracked with muscle spasms and after taking narcotics, it STILL did not touch the pain. Valium was my saving grace after hours of suffering.
The bite also caused some paralysis in the muscles of my legs and made me limp and sway when walking.
Today is Wednesday (4 days later) and I still have weakness and a slight limp. Ready to be 100% after this AWFUL experience with Madame Widow... whom I still have in a glass dish. DEAD of course.
24 Jun 2009, 15:38
24 Jun 2009, 23:27
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Whenever I come across a black widow spider I carefully apprehend the little creep in a jar and turn it loose in a suitable black widow habitat away from my home. I just transferred 2 from my back patio today. Killing them would accomplish absolutely nothing except satisfy some sick need for a person to kill something just because they can. People who have an uncontrollable fear of spiders are reluctantly excused from exterminating them. Only if it's bad enough to qualify for a clinical diagnosis. Even if it bites me, it would be stupid to kill it to "teach it a lesson", as if it is capable of learning a lesson, alive OR dead. I'm more intelligent than that.
21 Jul 2009, 16:57
21 Jul 2009, 17:21
02 Aug 2009, 21:48
16 Aug 2009, 01:59
23 Aug 2009, 07:49
02 Sep 2009, 15:20
I was swimming in my backyard pool where there are a lot of spiders around. I never gave them much thought, just stayed away from them and all of a sudden my legs started hurting. I went upstairs (in denial) to lay down thinking the pain would go away not realizing that I had been bitten. A few hours later I was writhng in pain and could not walk. We decided to wait until morning to go to the hospital and I realized that all of my symptoms had to be a spider bite. It took me three days to be able to function and walk properly and now I feel like I have the flu.
Who knew that such a tiny spider could have such a big impact on a human. I agree with Natalie. If I had been an old woman or a baby I may not have survived. I have two kids. All I kept thinking about was what if this would have happened to one of the kids? I am going to go outside and kill every black widow I can find. This is not a harmless lizard or even a bee which I would never kill. These spiders are a menace and I have no problem protecting my family from them.
08 Nov 2009, 20:10
19 Nov 2009, 00:41
i went to the doctor and they said since i made it two days i'd be okay.
but now i'm feeling alot more pain.
21 Nov 2009, 02:20
10 Jan 2010, 23:35
03 Mar 2010, 01:39
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!!!!!
06 Mar 2010, 20:18
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!
