Black widow spider

• black widow venom

Where Found:

• black widow spiders and related species

Symptoms:

• body as a whole
  • pain similar to a pinprick
  • numbness (changes to a more numbing pain of the affected - area)
  • cramping pain
  • muscle rigidity - shoulders, back, chest
  • increased sweating
  • increased salivation

• respiratory
  • difficulty breathing

• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • swelling of the eyelids
  • drooping eyelids
  • skin temperature over bite area tends to be warmer than - surrounding area

• skin
  • rash
  • itching

• gastrointestinal
  • nausea and/or vomiting

• nervous system
  • restlessness
  • anxiety
  • headache
  • dizziness

Home Treatment:
Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other suitable covering) on the site of the bite for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If the patient has circulatory problems, decrease the time to prevent possible damage to the skin. The patient should be taken to the emergency room for treatment.

Before Calling Poison Control:
Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the time the bite occurred
• the area where the bite occurred
• the identify of the spider, if possible

Call Poison Control:
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses.

If it is necessary to go to the hospital, bring the spider (if possible) to the emergency room for identification.

What to Expect:

• Treat the symptoms.

Prognosis:
Death in a normally healthy individual is uncommon. Full recovery usually takes about a week.



Many arthropods are capable of carrying disease. This illustration shows some of the general characteristics of arthropods. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)