Black widow spider

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

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.

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
• Difficulty breathing
• Very painful muscle cramps
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Increased saliva
• Increased sweating
• Sensitivity to light
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness
• Restlessness
• Seizures (usually seen just before death in children who are bitten)

Pregnant women may have contractions and go into labor.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.