Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Identifying a Black Widow Bite
• Part 2 of 3: Treating a Black Widow Bite
• Part 3 of 3: Recognizing the Black Widow

Most spiders are harmless. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between a spider bite and another insect bite, or even a mild skin infection. However, be sure to seek medical attention if serious symptoms develop after the bite and you are not sure which insect has bitten you. One of the most venomous spiders is the black widow. If you have determined that you have been bitten by a black widow, seek immediate medical attention.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Identifying a Black Widow Bite

1. 1 Recognize a black widow bite. Black widows have fangs. The bite usually leaves two small puncture wounds.
   • As the poison spreads, the bite site becomes like a target. In the center there are traces of canines, which are surrounded by reddened skin, a little further, there is another red circle.
   • Canine teeth are visible immediately after the bite. Then quickly, usually within an hour, redness and swelling develop around the bite site.
   • Pain usually occurs within an hour and can quickly spread from the site of the bite to areas such as the abdomen, chest, or back.
   • While the above does not always happen, these are typical symptoms that develop after being bitten by a black widow.
2. 2 Catch the spider if possible. The treating doctor will want to know what caused the bite (injury). However, remember that safety comes first. If you can safely trap the spider, place it in a container so it cannot bite anyone. For safe transportation of the spider, a small glass jar or a plastic container with a lid placed in another container with a secure lid and handle, such as a thermal bag, will do.
   • Obviously, no one should be at risk of being bitten by a spider. If you can do it safely, catch the spider and take it with you to the doctor.
   • Show the doctor about the spider that bit you - this will help you get the most effective treatment as soon as possible. If you find it difficult to catch a spider that has bitten you and take it with you, try to at least take as clear pictures as possible, if it is safe to do so.
3. 3 Recognize the symptoms. Most people after being bitten by spiders, including such venomous ones as the black widow, do not experience any further serious health problems.
   • After being bitten by a black widow, symptoms such as severe severe pain, muscle stiffness, muscle cramps, abdominal cramps, back pain, excessive sweating, and high blood pressure may appear.
   • Both local and general body responses to black widow venom can rapidly develop and spread throughout the body. If you are firmly convinced or convinced that you have been bitten by a black widow, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
   • Local reactions include itching or rash at the bite site, increased sweating in the bite limb, pain spreading from the bite site, and discolored skin areas (blisters).
   • The general reaction to the bite is severe and sharp muscle pain, back and chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting, fever and chills, high blood pressure, anxiety, restlessness, delirium.

Part 2 of 3: Treating a Black Widow Bite

1. 1 Start treatment. Above all, you should remain calm and try to identify the spider safely.
   • Wash the bite with mild soap and water and apply ice or a cold compress to prevent swelling.
   • Do not apply ice directly to your skin. Place a towel or soft, clean cloth under an ice pack or cold compress.
   • If possible and appropriate, elevate the bite site.
   • Take an over-the-counter pain and / or inflammation medication such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Observe the attached instructions for use.
2. 2 Get medical attention. For example, according to official figures, more than 2,500 cases of black widow bites are recorded in the United States every year. If you are bitten by this spider, go to your nearest health center or emergency room immediately.
   • You can call your doctor and tell him what happened. Perhaps the doctor will ask you to come to him or recommend the nearest medical institution to which you should contact. Wherever you go, call and let them know that you are on your way and that you have been bitten by a black widow - this will give the staff plenty of time to prepare.
   • Do not drive a car after being bitten by a spider. Black widow venom can greatly affect reaction speed. It is possible that at first you will feel normal, but your condition can change quickly.
   • Most people do not experience severe symptoms after being bitten by a black widow. Some do not have any problems at all and do not need medical attention.
   • Because of the potential for severe pain, discomfort, and general changes in your condition, talk to your doctor or emergency room as soon as possible so that you can get the treatment you need right away if you have any side effects or complications.
   • Tell your doctor about any medications and treatments you were using before arriving at the hospital.
   • Fortunately, over the years there have been only three reported deaths from a black widow bite.
   • In some cases, serious complications and death from a black widow bite were associated with the fact that the bitten people suffered from other serious diseases.
3. 3 Use an antidote Antivenin Latrodectus Mactans. This antidote was obtained in the 1920s. In the United States, the use of this antivenom has been restricted following at least one report of a severe hypersensitivity reaction.
   • Complications are possible after a bite. Healthcare professionals can monitor your vital signs and changes in your condition to determine if treatment is working.
   • An article published in 2011 examined four cases of black widow bites.Three victims were treated with antivenom, and one was not given it due to possible hypersensitivity.
   • The three people who were given the antidote quickly (usually 30 minutes after injection) experienced relief from the severe pain caused by the bites. They were monitored in the emergency room for several hours and then discharged without complications.
   • The victim, who did not receive the antidote, was given potent pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs in the emergency department, then hospitalized.
   • The victim received inpatient treatment in the hospital for two days and by the third day began to feel better. On the third day he was discharged without any complications.

Part 3 of 3: Recognizing the Black Widow

1. 1 Recognize the black widow so as not to disturb her. The female black widow has a characteristic bright red hourglass-shaped spot on the underside of the abdomen.
   • The female of the spider has a black, shiny body with a large rounded abdomen. The body length is about 1 centimeter, and together with the paws - more than 2.5 centimeters.
   • The Black Widow has fangs that are slightly shorter than those of other spiders, but long enough to pierce human skin.
   • Karakurt (a subspecies of the black widow) is found in Kyrgyzstan, the desert zone of Kazakhstan, in the steppes of Kalmykia, the Astrakhan region, Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in North Africa, southern Europe and in the south of Russia and Ukraine (the Black Sea region, the Azov region and Crimea).
   • White karakurt is common from North Africa and the Middle East and Iran to Russia and in several Central Asian states such as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
2. 2 Find places where the black widow can live. This spider prefers to live in the open air, where there are many flies on which it feeds, although it can also be found inside buildings and premises.
   • The Black Widow prefers secluded places such as piles of firewood, under a well roof, eaves of a house, fences, and other areas where there is a lot of debris.
   • Black Widows are often found in dark, damp and secluded places such as electrical panels, under porches, patio furniture, and in and around utility rooms and sheds.
3. 3 Try not to hit the cobwebs. Usually the black widow winds a web between stable, stationary objects. Some spiders prefer to weave webs in more mobile places, such as between bushes or tree branches.
   • The black widow's web is irregular in shape and does not resemble the typical, sometimes perfectly regular webs that other spiders weave. At the same time, the threads of the web are stronger than those of most other spiders.
   • The black widow does not attack the person first. In most cases, she bites due to the fact that her web is touched.
   • The black widow is non-aggressive, but she bites if she feels threatened or touched.
4. 4 Distinguish between male and female black widows. Females have characteristic spots and a stronger venom. In the event of a female bite, you will need immediate medical attention.
   • Usually, female black widows have a larger body than males, however, males often have longer legs. As a result, males may appear larger.
   • Males may be black, but they are usually brown, and spots can be anywhere on the abdomen. Typically, the spots are red, although males with white or brownish markings are found.
   • Black widow females have red hourglass-shaped markings on their abdomen, although some may have an orange tint.
   • Females have large enough fangs to bite through human skin and inject poison, which causes the body to react accordingly.
   • It is believed that when bitten by male black widows, poison does not enter the body.
   • The black widow gets its name from the fact that the female can eat the male after mating.This does not always happen, but it is quite possible.