Black Widow Spider



CAP health & wellness handout: VENOMOUS SPIDERSSpider bites are uncommon in the US as spiders are generally reclusive and nocturnal. There are several species of spiders thought to be harmful to people but only two are of clinical significance. The bites of these spiders are painful, but the effects are largely limited.Brown Recluse SpiderMany people wrongly believe they have been bitten by Brown Recluse spiders.The distribution of this spider is limited to the Deep South and Midwestern statesThere is a violin shaped pattern on the spiderThe spider cannot bite unless pushed against the skinInside a shoeCrushed against a person's body in bedThe biteInitially painlessBecomes red and swollenUsually heal in 2-3 weeks with no treatmentSome wounds become necrotic with a non-healing wound with tissue destructionThere is no effective medical treatment for the biteYellow Sac SpiderThe spider has a pale body with black feet This is the most common biting spider in USFound throughout the USWill bite if cornered or threatenedThe bite is harmlessHobo SpiderInhabits the Pacific NorthwestMakes a funnel shaped webThe bite is painful but harmless to humans Brown Widow SpiderBite is painful but harmless to humansVery timid and rarely indoorsRange is Southern US and CaliforniaBlack Widow SpiderFound throughout most of continental US and HawaiiSpider is not aggressive and only bites in self-defenseThe BiteThere will be intense pain at the site of the biteDevelops in first 20-60 minutesSpasm and pain in major muscle groups are common and can be quite intenseAs the venom is neurotoxic (affecting nerves) the following may occur:WeaknessTremblingNausea or vomitingFaintingDizzinessThe bite is not life threatening, except to very young and very old.TreatmentApply ice locally for painSeek professional medical attentionAntivenin can promptly control pain ................
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