What Happens When a Black Widow Bites You?
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The Bite
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When a black widow bites, it is usually out of defense, especially if she has unhatched eggs to protect. A black widow spider will usually only bite when she feels that she is in extreme danger, such as being grabbed or picked up by a human. Otherwise she will likely run to escape, since humans are large and formidable opponents, not likely to be affected (at least immediately) by a bite.
Venom Injection
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When the black widow's two fangs are inside the skin, a potent yet rarely deadly venom is injected into the victim. The venom starts making its way into the human's bloodstream. The venom is neurotoxic, meaning that it is a poisonous substance that has the ability to affect your nervous system. In layman terms, the venom can cause pain.
Pain & Swelling
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After a black widow bite, the victim will likely feel a stabbing pain at the bite mark. Swelling also occurs, making the bite area red. The victim will see two small red bite marks from the spider's fangs on the skin.
The pain starts to appear in other areas, namely the back and abdomen. The venom deposits itself near the nerve endings of the victim, so the person will probably start to experience cramping around the abdomen. Additionally, the victim could start to develop a fever and nausea, and start to perspire profusely.
Moving Out of the System
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During the couple of days after a black widow spider bite, the venom slowly leaves the bloodstream and the symptoms dissipate. This is rarely a fatal situation, as less than 1% of black widow bites results in death. The victim will usually be able to simply wait out the symptoms after seeking help from a poison control center or medical doctor. The venom sometimes causes complications in people with heart conditions because it can increase blood pressure. In this case, the patient might be kept overnight in a hospital to be observed after a black widow bite.
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