Along with the brown recluse, the black widow spider is the only arachnid in the United States that is dangerous to humans. It dwells in warm, dry areas such as attics and woodpiles, and generally minds its own business if left unmolested. Children or people who carelessly intrude upon its space may get bit, however. The female black widow is the dangerous one; you can spot it by its black body broken only by a red hourglass sign.
Timeline
Symptoms of a black widow spider bite don't begin right away. Though you may feel pain at the bite, it rarely leaves any immediate signs beyond slight redness and swelling in some patients. The real symptoms begin sometime after the bite--anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, as the poison courses through the patient's system. For this reason, it is very important to seek medical help as soon as you detect a black widow bite.
Pain and Cramps
The most notable symptom is a spreading pain in the muscles, similar to cramps. It starts in the area near the bite, then expands into other parts of the body. The pain can be used to roughly localize the bite. Bites on the upper body will create pain in the chest and upper torso, while bites in the lower body will be felt most acutely in the stomach and abdomen. The pain may be followed by a numbing sensation in some patients.
Nausea
The pain of a black widow spider bite may be followed by bouts of nausea and vomiting, along with a sense of weakness and difficulty breathing. Extensive vomiting can become dangerous in and of itself, since it removes fluids from your body and may cause dehydration.
Skin Conditions and Blood Pressure
Blood pressure tends to go up as a consequence of a black widow spider bite, and in the worst cases seizures may occur. Sweat may break out on the patient's skin, and he may experience itchiness and headaches as well.
Vulnerable Patients
Symptoms of a black widow spider bite are dangerous, but rarely fatal. If the patient receives professional medical treatment in a timely fashion and the hospital monitors him while the symptoms pass, the prognosis is good. The patients most at risk are small children or the elderly, whose systems may not be strong enough to withstand the symptoms. Pregnant women may be at risk as well, and a black widow spider bite may result in contractions and possibly premature labor.
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