Black widow spider

The black widow spider has a shiny black body with a red hourglass-shape on its belly area. The bite of a black widow spider is poisonous.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage a black widow spider bite. If you or someone you are with is bitten, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

The venom of the black widow spider contains poisonous chemicals that make people sick.

Where Found

Black widows are found throughout the United States, mostly in the South and West. They are usually found in barns, sheds, stone walls, fences, woodpiles, porch furniture, and other outdoor structures.

Symptoms

The first symptom of a black widow bite is usually pain similar to a pinprick. This is felt when the bite is made. Some people may not feel it. Minor swelling, redness, and a target-shaped sore may appear.

After 15 minutes to 1 hour, a dull muscle pain spreads from the bite area to the whole body.

• If the bite is on the upper body, you will usually feel most of the pain in your chest.
• If the bite is on your lower body, you will usually feel most of the pain in your abdomen.

The following symptoms can also occur:

• Anxiety

  Anxiety

  Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...

  

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• Difficulty breathing

  Difficulty breathing

  Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air

  

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• Very painful muscle cramps
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Increased saliva

  Increased saliva

  Drooling is saliva flowing outside the mouth.

  

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• Increased sweating

  Increased sweating

  Sweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration. Sweating helps...

  

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• Sensitivity to light
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness

  Numbness

  Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...

  

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  Agitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.

  

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• Restlessness

  Restlessness

  Agitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.

  

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• Seizures (usually seen just before death in children who are bitten)

Pregnant women may have contractions and go into labor.

Home Care

Seek emergency medical treatment right away. Wrap ice in a clean cloth and place it on the bite area. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If the person has blood flow problems, decrease the time that the ice is on the area to prevent possible skin damage.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Time the bite occurred
• Area on the body where the bite occurred
• Type of spider, if possible

Poison Control

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. They will give you further instructions.

Poison Help hotline

For a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...

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This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

If possible, bring the spider to the emergency room. Put it in a secure container.

The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The person may receive:

• Blood and urine tests
• Breathing support, including oxygen
• Chest or abdominal x-rays
• EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Intravenous fluids (through a vein)
• Medicines to treat symptoms

In severe cases, a type of medicine called antivenin is given to reverse the effect of the poison. However, this drug can cause serious allergic reactions and must be used carefully.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Severe symptoms usually start to improve within 2 to 3 days, but milder symptoms may last for several weeks. Death in a healthy person is very rare. Young children, the very ill, and the elderly may not survive a bite.

To prevent a bite, wear protective clothing when travelling in areas where black widow spiders live. DO NOT stick your hands or feet in their nests or in places where they may be hiding, such as under logs or underbrush, or other damp, moist areas.