Spider Bite First Aid (Black Widow, pg 1):

BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS: In North America, only the bite of the black widow typically produces acute, immediate symptoms in humans. These symptoms usually surface within minutes or hours after the bite occurs. Although fatalities from black widow bites are rare (less than 1% overall, but higher in children and the elderly), a black widow bite should always be considered a serious medical emergency. For the most part, first aid outside a medical setting is nonexistent, though oral administration of calcium gluconate tablets may offer some relief.

The bite of the black widow may not be painful. Often the bite is not noticed when it occurs. Pain begins from minutes to an hour later, concentrated in the lymph nodes and spreading from there to the musculature. Blood pressure increases, as does heart rate and body temperature. Cramping and rigidity of the abdominal muscles are diagnostic, though similar symptoms are produced by puss caterpillar stings. Facies latrodectismi, where the face is flushed, with profuse sweating, swollen eyelids, inflamed lips, and involuntary cramping of jaw muscles, is uniquely diagnostic. If cramping spreads to the chest, and affects breathing, the danger of fatal asphyxiation increases.

In addition to physiological symptoms, psychological symptoms are also common. Persons suffering from black widow envenomation often experience significant anxiety episodes, including fear of death.  NEXT PAGE. Page Menu:   1  *  2  *  3  *  4  *  5  *  6  *  7  *  8  * 

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