After being bitten by a black widow spider, you may have painful swelling around the bite. You may also notice cramps, muscle spasms, and achiness, and you may be sick to your stomach.
These symptoms may get worse for up to about 12 hours after you were bitten. Then they should start to go away. It may take a few days or weeks before all the pain goes away.
Black widow spiders are usually found throughout the United States, Mexico, and southern Canada. They live in low-lying webs in garages, in barbecue grills, around swimming pools, and in wood piles. Most bites occur in rural and suburban areas between the months of April and October. These spiders tend to bite when their webs are disturbed. Bites to babies and children may be more serious than bites to adults.
Medicine to counteract black widow spider venom (antivenom) is available, but it is rarely used.
In most cases of a black widow spider bite, symptoms consist only of:
In some cases, severe symptoms appear within 30 to 60 minutes. These include:
Medicine to counteract black widow spider venom (antivenom) is available in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is usually used if you have trouble breathing, have high blood pressure, or are pregnant. Children and older adults with some medical conditions may also be given the medicine if their symptoms are serious.
Treatment also includes:
A black widow spider bite is diagnosed through a physical examination and questions about the bite. You should be prepared to describe the spider, where and when the bite took place, and what you were doing at the time. Your doctor will ask what your main symptoms are, when they began, and how they have developed, progressed, or changed since the bite.
Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans and Latrodectus hesperus) are found throughout the United States, Mexico, and southern Canada. A female black widow is much more likely to deliver more venom than a male spider. Female black widows are long-legged, shiny, coal-black spiders with an orange, red, or yellow shape on their underside that usually looks like an hourglass but may be another shape. Female black widows are usually about 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) long, but they may be smaller.
Black widow spiders are frequently found in low-lying webs in garages, in barbecue grills, around swimming pools, and in wood piles. Most bites occur in rural and suburban areas and occur between the months of April and October. These spiders tend to bite defensively when their webs are disturbed. Bites to babies, children, and older adults may be more serious.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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