Black Widow Spider Bite
The Reality Of The Black Widow Spider Bite
The reaction of humans to the black widow spider bite is an extreme one indeed. The protein based venom which is released into the blood stream attacks the nervous system within eight hours of the bite, and some have a higher tolerance to it than others do. It is thought that children and the elderly are most vulnerable to this venom, though very rarely does anyone die from a black widow spider bite. Modern day research and medicines have made vast changes to the outcome for victims of the black widow spider bite.
The initial site of the wound may be nearly undetectable, as many victims have no idea that they have been bitten, let alone what they were bitten by. It has been decided by the scientific community that male black widows do not bite humans, and that the normally non aggressive female will only bite when she is disturbed. Not prone to daytime activities nor infesting the indoors, the black widow is most likely to be found in cool, dark places such as sheds, the underneath of porch steps, and sometimes in such discrete places as shoes. This spider seeks quiet surroundings and ample prey, and you may have brushed past one a time or two and never been the wiser.
The site of a black widow spider bite often does not react for up to two hours from the onset of the poisoning, and from there the severity of reaction can go one of three ways. Some people feel an intense itching which progresses to a steady burn, which can remain local or travel to other areas of the appendage or body part. This is a common and non threatening reaction, and though uncomfortable, will generally pass without further symptoms within 4 to 24 hours.
The next most adverse reaction to the black widow spider bite begins in much the same way as the first. Even those who are severely allergic to this protein based venom can have a tardy reaction, but once the symptoms begin they will be accompanied by some much more serious conditions. Severe pain, spasms, and burning will begin to ensue the site and the surrounding areas, and the victim will begin to feel nausea, painful abdominal cramps, lightheadedness or even dizziness, and an overwhelming sense of weakness. These symptoms should be attended to by medical professionals at once, as they could be the early symptoms of a potentially fatal third degree reaction.
This third degree reaction gives all of the same symptoms as the second one described, but a victim with this most severe reaction will continue to become sicker and sicker. The nausea gives way to vomiting, the abdominal and muscle cramps move into the chest area, the weak sensation turns into faintness and eventual loss of consciousness, and the tremors can amount to respiratory distress or failure. If you fear that you have been suffered a black widow spider bite, it is imperative that you have the site checked by a doctor right away. Always better safe than sorry.