Black Widow Spider Bites

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?

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!!!!!

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!

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.

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!!!!!!

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.

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.

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!!

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

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?

"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.

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.

I got bit by a Brown Widow last weekend - live in So. Cal. - went to E.R. but was only given a Tetanus shot - symptoms varied during the week - will go back to doctor but they don't seem to know how to deal with the situation - noticed weakness in lower legs...I'm a runner so this concerns me....I think the Brown Widow is just as toxic as the Black Widow

So for the 2nd time ib 2 months, I have been bitten again. This time the bugger was ub my glove and nailed me 3 times. I went to the ER and was admitted for 4 days. Wgeb they went to discharge me, I was very adament that I felt no better. They kicked me out anyway. I figured that the symptoms I had would go away....no. I still have severe tremors in the habd and arm, emense pain, stomach, back and leg cramps, N/V, smong others. I went back t the RE tonight, and was treated like a fool. They gave me something for pain and cramps, called poison control and kicked me out because ppoison control said that I shouldn't still have aymptoms. The doctor said it had to be something else(even though the symptoms haven't changed in a week). I'm miserable. I've losst the basic use of my hand and nobody will take me seriously. I got a consult for a neurologist. I don't know what to do. My hand is purple, and I can't move my fingers. I've read where some symptoms can last for up to 3-4 weeks. I don't want the antivenin because of long term problems. What do I have to do to get the ER to believe me? I'm lost! Help!

Speak with an attorney about the way you've been treated. That will get the ER's attention.

My bite too, over a month ago, was the worst pain ever. Excruciating! Was bit on my upper arm. Much sweating, chest pains for weeks, thought I was having a heart attack. Arm & hand was paralyzed for days. Immense pain in both shoulder joints, fingers. Could not even touch the entire arm down to the fingertips for almost a week the pain was so intense. (I had 4 home-births w/no drugs, so I KNOW pain...this was close!) Even the "air" caused incredible pain to the entire arm. Very ill, in bed for many days and the bite lesion looked red & raw for weeks. On week 3 it started to clear up some. It's been a month and is still a bright pink souvenier. It seems fine mostly but periodically it'll flare and I'll have deep muscle pain in areas the same as I had right afterwards. Some of my joints have not recovered well & are still quite sore. Have fatigue issues, but not certain it is from the bite. Yeah, no sympathy at the doctors, I just tried to eat very healthily, get lots of rest & take care of myself because I was so afraid of the possibility of necrosis. And after weeks we felt that was still possible because the pain was deep and strong still. Yep, I am absolutely paranoid beyond belief of black widows now. It was far more than I had ever, ever expected!!! Very, very bad experience!!!

I was bitten by a black widow, in three places, on September 25, 2010. I never experienced any cramping, fever, or nauseousness. In fact, I didn't even know I had been bitten, until I saw the bite on my lower stomach, which was bright red and the size of a large sand dollar. Because it wasn't causing me any pain or discomfort, I ignored it. 48 hours after my bite, I noticed a line dropping down to my lower abdomen. That same day, after doing something strenuous, I immediately began having severe panic attacks, one after another, while driving. With each of these attacks, would come the instant desire to have a bowel movement and urinate to the point you would of thought I took a diuretic. I drove myself to urgent care, where they gave me an antibiotic for the bite. The following day, the same thing happened - panic attacks one after another, with my body trembling severely out of control. It was as though I was having an out-of-body experience, watching my body literally convulse and not being able to stop it. ER treated me for dehydration. The following day, the same thing. This time I had my mom drive me to my doctor, who wasn't in. I saw another doctor, who swore it was a tick bite and treated me for Lyme disease. The next day, the same thing, this time my PCP diagnosed it as neurological problem and ordered a CT scan which came back clear. He referred me to a neurologist who wouldn't even recognize the bite and said it was anxiety and I needed Prozac. Finally, I found a doctor who believes my symptoms are related to the venom that is still within my body. He is going to try and neutralize the venom and clean out the toxins in my liver - which is where it would be still stored. Since the first attack (5 weeks ago) I have had constant tremors, to the point that it feels as though my eyeballs are even tremoring. Weirdest thing! I feel continually wired, with my pupils fully dilated. I have lost 8 pounds and have a loss of appetite. It also feels as though I have acquired arthritis in the joints of my fingers. I hope and pray these symptoms will pass and I will not have life long problems.

came upon this page looking for answers...I got bit by SOMETHING 2 days ago. I felt something prick me but I thought I had a sticker in my jeans and I just brushed it off...As the day went on I started to feel like I had the worst onset of a major cold. Muscle aches, back pain, headache. About 8hrs after the moment i felt it I looked at my leg and noticed a bite. I took 3 benadryl thinking that would help. It didn't. I had a constant fever for several hours and I broke out in a major rash from my chin to my chest. The bite was on my thigh but my FEET were so sore. They were red and swollen and painful. I ended up going to the ER and they said they can only treat the symptoms so they gave me antibiotics and steroids. Thats what I'm still taking today. I'm praying that the pain in my feet will stop. Anybody have this happen to their feet?

I just want to thank the host of this site for making this page available. It has been invaluable to me in dealing with the symptoms of my bite. I've stated before that I was bitten in July of 2009, and to this day I still have mild symptoms. I have scoured this and other discussion boards on black widow bites and was able to print out and show my doctor testimomial posts that matched up with what I was dealing with in the months and 1 year after my bite.

I was bitten on my leg, had the classic symtoms for 2 days, but they went away for a few weeks, then all the neurological stuff kicked in, including panic attacks,terrible aches in my armpits, facial and internal burning sensations, and horrible debilitating fatigue. Just to assure anyone reading, I had literally hundreds of blood tests done over the past year with a great doctor looking into whatever else he thought it might be along with endoscopy, ct scans, MRIs and a gallium scan, all came up clean.

Neurologists blew it off, but then one recommended by my doctor finally said my symptoms may be from the bite.

It's very hard to get the doctors to acknowledge the damage of a widow bite. I contacted an spider researcher at a national university and detailed to him in an email what I had been going through and he said everything I had experience was consistant with latrodectism (black widow envenomation). The email he wrote back to me was very helpful in getting my doctors to look at the bite more seriously. Though there was no treatment they would give me for the symptoms.

I also contacted a biotech company that had worked with a bite victem, and the CEO suggested Doxycycline. My doctor said this made sense, but since I had started to recover a bit, he didn't prescribe it.

Lastly, I had read a post on this site that I blew off as nonsense, but began to rethink it and now believe the poster was right. I never flet the bite when I went to kill the little bugger, and didn't see it get on my leg, and I had no bite mark that I was aware of at the time. but some time after things were going wrong with me I noticed a slight keloid on my shin that mildly irritated me and itched a bit. I ignored it for months, but then I remembered the post. The poster wrote that if you have symptoms for more than a year check the bite site to make sure the small fang of the spider did not break off into the wound, otherwise this might be causing long term continual symptoms.

Well, I think this may have been contributing to my problems because I went to the dermotologist to have the keloid looked at. They cut it off and sent it to a lab and the results were nothing out of the ordinary, but I have to admit, that probably two days later most (not all, but I'll take it)of my lingering symptoms subsided and I'm just happy to be feeling better.

Thanks again to all who post here, and speedy healing to all who have suffered the bite.

RK

I was bit by a black widow 2 months ago; got medical care 7 days after the bite-antibiotic, anti-inflammatory (which I couldn't take after 2 days bc of severe renal side-effects) & vicodin (which I declined to take after having nightmares while taking it). Have had bad nights ever since the bite-severe itching, tremors, some nausea & panic-attack-like-symptoms. They've lessened, but continue cyclically. Am taking catnip capsules & chamomile glycerite, fish oil, calcium, magnesium & zinc supplements, Vit. B & C. A crowd of people & lots of noise upsets me, tho it never has before (I have 12 children); am 48. Will my nerves ever heal? How long will this last?

Everyone reacts differently to insect bites. Discuss your issues with your doctor.

Sandy B,

While doing research on lactrodectism I read an Australian report that had mentioned a common occurance of burning sensations in
the feet of bite victims. In Australia they have brown widows, and the equivalent of our black widow they call the red back spider
which has the same venom and can be treated with the same antivenon as our black widow.

I believe our black widows are latrodectus mactans, the red back is latrodectus something or other. but the effects are generally
the same.

Treatment seems to be another story.

As for what I posted before about the fang and the bite site, well to be honest, now I'm not too sure as some of the milder
symptoms are still stubbornly sticking around. It's been 1 year and 6 months since my bite.

To encourage anyone, I would say I'm 90% better most days, some days 100% but other days it slips back to 85%.

In my case it's been a long slow road.

Hang tough

This is my 2nd post to this site. I was bitten by a black widow Sept. 2010; I continue to have cyclical episodes of itching, pain in my foot at the bite site as well as in the other foot in the same location, very stiff neck, pain in the tailbone & stomach pain, lethargy & headache similar to a sinus headache; I startle very easily. I have begun taking an herbal cleansing powder each morning that includes bentonite clay & charcoal & am I think this may be helping, as symptoms are very mild as long as I take the cleanse.

I was bitten on the back of my calf over 13 years ago while gardening. Since I have fair skin, I thought that I had severely burnt only my right calf. It itched, but years of being allergic to mosquito bites taught me never, ever scratch anything that itches. It makes that area puff up to comedic proportions. I remember getting so sick sometime in there getting miserably sick for days, but my very active boys did, too. The only reason I found out it was a black widow bite was when I went to my OB/GYN three months later. He gleefully told me I was a pregnant and then saw the bite. He grilled me and was happy that, despite the area still being a bit red, the lingering poison would not harm the baby. Now I am concerned that since I was untreated that perhaps it is creating problems in my heart or other places. Is there any medical info that you can find where heart damage or nerve damage was caused by this bite?

Susan, not sure who you meant to direct your question to. As for me, the symptoms which followed my bite included a racing heart & nerve pain & obvious nerve damage. My symptoms are subsiding slowing, but they come as a group, cyclically, so I know that my minor heart problems & more major nerve problems are from my black w.spider bite. Whatever is causing YOUR heart problems, you can get good relief by taking Hawthorne Berry. Go to www.BulkHerbStore.com & get loose HB & capsules to make your own excellent herbal remedy to heart inflammation.

My wife was bitten on the back of butt 37 yrs ago in Bahrain, they said it was a recluse spider. For the last 37 yrs. she still gets a red bloch on the same spot, any answers as to why .

That's a medical issue. I don't have an answer.

I would like to provide an update. I was bitten back in September 2010. After seeing 10 doctors and all of them thinking I was stressed and needed anti-depressants, I decided to do further research. Anyway, I believe I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Many doctors are not aware of this disorder, and many go misdiagnosed. I go for a tilt-table test in February. I believe a black widow bite could bring on this disorder, as they inject neurotoxins that affect your autonomic nervous system. Just thought I'd put it out there, for those of you with long-term symptoms. It was worth investing in a pulse watch and a blood pressure cuff. It's comforting to know I'm not loosing my mind and there is an explanation. It hasn't been easy finding a doctor who is educated with this condition, as it only was published in medical journals 15 years ago. I hope this helps some of you.

I was once bitten by the same and it got infected but you know what just keep your head held high like i did and i am 11 yrs old but i still go to school and not afraid to get called names by other people so your not the only ones.