Of all things, I was bitten this past weekend by a Black Widow Spider. And
no, I wasn't putting my hands in her home... she climbed inside of my
t-shirt. I presume she had been curled up in the sleeping bag that I had
taken out of the top of a closet. When I awoke Saturday morning I felt a
small lump on my chest. When I flipped her out of my clothes, she bit me
twice on the chest. My husband caught the spider and put it in a ziplock
bag.
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.
Black Widow Spider Bites
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!