How to Identify and Treat Black Widow Spider Bites

Black widow bites are most dangerous to small children and the elderly. These bites will also make adults pretty sick.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Evacuation Plan
• Wilderness First Aid Classes
• Antibacterial Soaps
• Cold Compresses
• Ibuprofen

1. Learn to recognize female black widow spiders, whose bites are venomous. They are usually coal black and have a reddish hourglass shape on their bellies.

2. Exercise caution when stepping or reaching into places where black widow webs are likely to be: in cool dark places such as underneath rocks or logs, or inside caves, unoccupied structures or outdoor latrines.

3. Look for the signs and symptoms of a black widow bite: redness at the site of the bite; muscle cramps originating at the bite and spreading throughout the body; pain and cramping in the back and abdomen; nausea, vomiting, perspiration, dizziness; changes in levels of consciousness (See "How to Measure Level of Consciousness").

4. Clean bite area with soap and water and elevate to at least level of the heart.

5. Apply an ice pack to the site of the bite.

6. Administer pain killers to provide some relief from the cramping and muscle spasms.

7. Administer antivenin if the person bit is a small child or elderly person. Antivenin is usually only available in hospitals - evacuate immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• People often don't see the spider or feel the bite.
• Symptoms set in within 10 minutes to an hour after a person has been bitten, and become progressively worse before improving. Residual symptoms will last anywhere from a couple of days to several months after the bite.
• A hot bath may relieve some of the discomfort of the muscle spasms, though this may be difficult to improvise if you are not at home.
• Small children must receive antivenin as soon as possible and be treated in a hospital. If you are camping, evacuation is strongly recommended for anyone bit, but imperative if symptoms do not begin to subside after 24 hours, or if the person bit is under the age of 16, of small body weight, or elderly.
• Do not attempt to lance the bite or extract the venom.
• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[credit4you]

on 6/7/2009 Nice article and good information too bad some one had to play games all over it.

[headbngr]

on 4/19/2008 this is his daughter Maxine hes unconcious what do i do??please someone call anyone, just help me save my dad 636 288 6134 and ask for Heather please help my dad

[headbngr]

on 4/19/2008 my whole arm is red and pulsing, and i cant really feel it. what should i do, kuz im feeling dizzy and tired and out of breath. someone help me

[headbngr]

on 2/27/2008 thanx dude, i just got bit by like three of these damn things. i hope your information works