You can see black widow spiders anywhere in the U.S., Southern Canada and Mexico. You can stare at the spider for all you like. Just do not let it bite you. You should be aware that a bite of this spider is venomous and leads to some effects, especially the bite of the female spider. The female ones have long legs, and a body that is coal-black and shiny. The female black widow spiders can be easily determined from the male ones through its red, orange or yellow shape on its underside. It is usually 1.5 inches long. These species of spider can be found in barbecue grills, swimming pools, low-lying webs in the garage and wood piles. Reported bites become common between April and October. Although the bites are venomous, these are more dangerous to children and babies than to adults.
Once you are bitten by these spiders, you will experience the associated black widow spider bite symptoms. The bite of black widow spiders is producing a protein-venom that can affect the nervous system of the victim. The effect of the bite may vary from person to person. Some may only be affected slightly and others might react to it severely. What you will experience after the bite is an acute pain. The associated black widow spider bite symptoms start to occur after either 20 minutes or 1 hour.
3 Types of Black Widow Spider Bite Symptoms
1. Mild Black Widow Spider Bite Symptoms
Most of the time, the symptoms include minimal to prickly pain. It is then followed by redness and swelling at the area bitten. You will also notice either a single or a couple of fang marks that look like small red spots.
2. Severe Black Widow Spider Bite Symptoms
However, there are times when the victim reacts severely to the bite with the symptoms appearing 30 minutes to an hour after the bite. These symptoms are muscle cramps as well as spasms, which start near the bitten area and spread until the bite becomes severe. This takes place for 6 hours to half day. Chills, nausea, vomiting, sweating, severe pain in the chest, back and belly are also felt. The victim may also experience headache, shock or restlessness and high blood pressure.
3. The Sequence of the Occurring Symptoms
The black widow spider bite symptoms start with a local pain or severe abdominal pain or muscle cramps along with tremor and weakness. Large muscle groups become affected, which results in more yet considerable pain.
The severity of a victim’s reaction to the bite is depending on the physical condition and age. The abdominal pain experienced by the victim may resemble like those in gall bladder and appendicitis pain. Blood pressure and heart rate may be elevated. The elevation of blood pressure can lead to one of the most severe complications. But even with the severity of some bite cases, these are not life threatening. However, it is a reaction that can be told as that if the ones bitten are the elderly or children.
If you know that your child has been bitten by a black widow spider, bring the kid immediately to a hospital. This will prevent the life threatening effect to children.
