spideraway.com

Keep Pesky Spiders OUT

  • Home
  • How-To
    • Make Natural Spider Repellent
    • Keep Spiders Off Your Siding
    • Keep Black Widows Out
    • Repel Hobo Spiders
    • Avoid Camel Spiders
    • How to Spot an Infestation
  • Spider Bites
    • Brown Recluse Bites
    • Black Widow Bite
    • White Tailed Spider Bite
    • Camel Spider Bite
    • Common Symptoms
    • Spider Bite First Aid
    • How Dangerous are Spider Bites?
  • Popular Spiders
    • Goliath Bird-Eating Spider
    • Huntsman Spider
    • Wheel Spider
    • Brazilian Wandering Spider
  • General Info
    • Watch Out for These Spiders
    • What You Should Know About Spiders
    • What is Arachnophobia?
    • Overcome Arachnophobia
    • Spider Myths
    • Spider Facts
    • Spider Types
    • Spider Habitats
    • Most Venomous Spiders
  • Contact
  • About
  • Blog

How Dangerous is a Black Widow Bite?

By saadmin

black widow bite

The lethality of a black widow spider bite is dependent on several factors. These factors include the health and age of the affected individual, the gender of the spider, and the possibility that an allergy to spider bites may exist. One must be very careful and should seek medical attention if they believe they have been bitten by a black widow. With that said, there has been very few deaths attributed to black widow bites, and most commonly the experience is simply unpleasant but not life-threatening. However, improper care of a bite can certainly lead to complications, so don’t forego a trip to the hospital if you’re unsure.

Bitten by a Male or Female?

The first step in assessing the danger of a black widow bite is determining the gender of the spider. Females are much more dangerous than males because they can inject greater amounts of venom per bite. Additionally, females are triple the size of males and have a body that is fuller and rounder in shape. Male spiders have a small hourglass marking and a lengthier, tube-like body. To practice spotting the difference, try looking up images of male and female black widow spiders on the internet to see the telltale signs of each gender. If an individual has been bitten by a male, it may not cause much if any symptoms compared to the female, but if symptoms begin to arise then go to a hospital.

Who are most susceptible?

Depending on the individual, a black widow spite can be quite dangerous. Elderly and young children as well as any individual who has a compromised immune system may react more severely to a bite. Furthermore, those with high blood pressure are at greater risk as well. Due to the chance of getting bitten, one should be wary of spiders if they live in areas where the black widow also resides. Those who are most at risk of a bite should have their homes set up so that help can be called quickly and efficiently in case of a bite.

Bite Symptoms

In the worst scenario, a person can die from a black widow bite. Certain individuals react strongly to the chemicals in venom, regardless if it was a lethal amount or not, and can suffer from anaphylactic shock. Symptoms of this include swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, hives, trouble breathing, asthma, and unconsciousness. Without proper medical attention this response can be fatal. Individuals who have known allergies to bugs should carry an EpiPen (a portable injection of epinephrine) with them at all times to deliver a shot when necessary. Even after a shot is administered, the individual should still seek medical care because the venom may still be in their body.

To lower the chances of a fatal outcome from a spider bite, it would be wise to err on the side of caution and contact emergency services if bitten, even if no symptoms are present. The bite of a black widow has been reported to feel like anything from a pinprick to a sharp, stinging feeling. A bite wound with two small fang imprints are another indicator, especially if it is accompanied with redness, swelling, and pain around the wound. Additional symptoms include difficulty breathing, dizziness, perspiration, headache, muscle weakness, vomiting, and rash or itchy sensations. Immediate medical care has the benefit of reducing or curing most of these symptoms and would significantly lower mortality rates.

Photo Credit: David~O

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Related Posts

What Makes an Ideal Spider Habitat?

How to Keep Spiders Off the Siding of Your Home

What is Arachnophobia?

What is a Wheel Spider?

How to Keep Recluse Spiders and Black Widows OUT

How to Overcome Your Fear of Spiders

Best First Aid Tips for Spider Bites

What You Should Know About Spiders

How to Spot a Brown Recluse Infestation

What is a Huntsman Spider?

Disclosure

Spideraway.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy

This blog ("https://spideraway.com/") does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This privacy policy is subject to change with or without notice

Disclaimer

All content provided on https://spideraway.com/ is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner of https://spideraway.com/ will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. This terms and conditions is subject to change at anytime with or without notice.

Copyright © 2022