| Black widow spiders generally live in trash, closets, | | | | causes death. |
| attics, woodpiles, garages and other dark places. The | | | | Human mortality at well less than 1% from black |
| black widow is a medium-sized spider whose body is | | | | widow spider bites. There are many labeled pesticides |
| about a half-inch long. Black widow spiders are pretty | | | | for spider control. Medication for pain and spasms. |
| common in the Southwest U.S. Two species are | | | | Antivenin is only given in severe cases as severe |
| common to the United States. The southern black | | | | allergic reactions can occur. Pain and spasms may be |
| widow has the shiny, black, globular abdomen with the | | | | severe enough to require benzodiazepines, such as |
| distinctive red hourglass on the underside. The northern | | | | lorazepam (Ativan) or diazepam (Valium), or narcotics, |
| black widow has a row of red spots down the middle | | | | such as meperidine (Demerol). Antihypertension |
| of the upper surface of its abdomen and 2 crosswise | | | | medications for high blood pressure. Many prevention |
| bars on the undersurface. A black widow spider bite | | | | is also helpful this codition. Keep the wound clean and |
| gives the appearance of a target, with a pale area | | | | prevent infection. If the bite becomes infected or does |
| surrounded by a red ring. Severe muscle pain and | | | | not seem to heal. Apply ice to the bite area. Do not |
| cramps may develop in the first two hours. Severe | | | | apply a tourniquet. It may cause more harm than |
| cramps are usually first felt in the back, shoulders, | | | | benefit. Apply tincture of iodine or other antiseptic to |
| abdomen and thighs. | | | | the site of the bite to prevent infection. Try to keep the |
| Other symptoms include weakness, sweating, | | | | patient quiet and warm. |
| headache, anxiety, itching, nausea, vomiting, difficult | | | | Black Widow (latrodectus) Spider Bite Treatment and |
| breathing and increased blood pressure. Black widow | | | | Prevention Tips |
| spiders tend to bite defensively when their webs are | | | | 1. Apply ice to the bite area when the spider inject. |
| disturbed. Old stumps or wood piles are favorite hiding | | | | 2. Try to keep the patient quiet and warm. |
| places of black widow spiders. Most bites occur in | | | | 3. Keep the wound clean and prevent infection. |
| rural and suburban areas and occur between the | | | | 4. Antihypertension medications also use for high blood |
| months of April and October. Bites to babies and | | | | pressure. |
| children may be more serious than bites to adults. | | | | 5. Apply tincture of iodine or other antiseptic to the site |
| Adult females are mostly jet-black and often have | | | | of the bite to prevent infection. |
| striking red markings on their abdomens. On the ventral | | | | 6. Pain medication, muscle relaxants, and drugs to |
| surface of the globular abdomen is a characteristic | | | | lower blood pressure may be needed. |
| marking that consists of 2 equilateral triangles arranged | | | | 7. Antivenin is only given in severe cases as severe |
| apex to apex in an hourglass configuration. The female | | | | allergic reactions can occur. |
| injects such a small dose of venom that it rarely | | | | 8. Apply tincture of iodine and anticeptic affect aria. |