How long does it take for a black widow bite to kill you

Science

What Doesn’t Kill You

The truth about a black widow’s bite.

The black widow, found throughout the world’s temperate and tropical regions, is indeed the most venomous spider in North America—but the notorious black arachnid with the red hourglass on her abdomen hasn’t exactly earned her fearsome reputation.  

Still, that doesn’t mean her bite is pleasant. The video above considers which parts of the black widow’s infamy aren’t justified—and which ones are.


Conditions Basics

What is a black widow spider?

Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans and Latrodectus hesperus) are found throughout southern Canada, the United States, and Mexico. A female black widow is much more likely to deliver more venom than a male spider. Female black widows are long-legged, shiny, coal-black spiders with an orange, red, or yellow shape on their underside that usually looks like an hourglass but may be another shape. Female black widows are usually about 3.8 cm (1.5 in.) long, but they may be smaller.

Black widow spiders are frequently found in low-lying webs in garages, in barbecue grills, around swimming pools, and in wood piles. Most bites occur in rural and suburban areas and occur between the months of April and October. These spiders tend to bite defensively when their webs are disturbed. Bites to babies, children, and older adults may be more serious.

What are the symptoms of a black widow spider bite?

In most cases of a black widow spider bite, symptoms consist only of:

  • Minimal to sharp pain followed by swelling and redness at the site of the bite.
  • One or two small fang marks like tiny red spots.

In some cases, severe symptoms appear within 30 to 60 minutes. These include:

  • Muscle cramps and spasms that start near the bite and then spread and increase in severity for 6 to 12 hours.
  • Seizures.
  • Chills, fever, nausea, or vomiting.
  • Sweating.
  • Severe belly, back, or chest pain.
  • Headache.
  • Stupor, restlessness, or shock.
  • Severe high blood pressure.

What should you do if you think you've been bitten by a black widow spider?

Follow these steps if you believe you have been bitten by a black widow spider.

  • Get medical help immediately.

    Call your doctor, hospital, or local poison control centre.

  • Remain calm.

    Too much excitement or movement will increase the flow of venom into the blood.

  • Apply ice to the bite area.
  • Do not apply a tourniquet.

    It may cause more harm than benefit.

  • Try to positively identify the spider or catch it to confirm its type.

How is it diagnosed?

A black widow spider bite is diagnosed through a physical examination and questions about the bite. You should be prepared to describe the spider, where and when the bite took place, and what you were doing at the time. Your doctor will ask what your main symptoms are, when they began, and how they have developed, progressed, or changed since the bite.

How is a black widow spider bite treated?

Medicine to counteract black widow spider venom (antivenom) is available in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. It is usually used if you have trouble breathing, have high blood pressure, or are pregnant. Children and older adults with some medical conditions may also be given the medicine if their symptoms are serious.

Treatment also includes:

  • Medicine for pain and spasms. Pain and spasms may be severe enough to require benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan) or diazepam (Valium), or opioids, such as morphine or fentanyl. Calcium may also be used.
  • Antihypertension medicines for high blood pressure.

Credits

Current as of:
July 1, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
H. Michael O'Connor MD - Emergency Medicine

Can You Die From a Black Widow Bite?

YESpestpros • Mar 15, 2021

Almost everyone is scared of spiders! One of the most well-known and feared species is the Black widow spider. But what does a black widow spider look like, and where are you most likely to find them? How harmful is a black widow spider bite?

What Does a Black Widow Spider Look Like?

Black widow spiders receive their name because the female often kills and eats the male after mating. The females are about one inch in size and display a hard, black, and shiny large and round abdomen. Both genders are identified by a reddish to yellow hourglass design on the bottom.

The males will be smaller compared to the females. Pairs of red and white stripes on the abdominal region’s sides will distinguish them from the female.

Where Will I Find Black Widow Spiders?

Black widow spiders will usually spin webs that are tangled and messy. They seek places that are dark and rarely disturbed. For this reason, you will commonly find them in:

  • Stacks of wood
  • Piles of loose branches
  • Corners of buildings
  • Inside gardening equipment that’s seldomly used, like gloves and boots
  • Other sheltered places

The fear of these spiders surges from the idea that the black widow bite will kill you. But can a black widow kill you? The short answer is yes!

In Indiana , black widows are one of two spiders capable of inflicting serious injury to humans. But the truth is that black widow deaths related to the bite of these spiders are rare. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that in the United States, since 1983, there have been no deaths due to black widow spiders.

Even bites themselves from these spiders are rare because they naturally hide and won’t come after you. But like any creature, if it feels threatened, it will bite!

Is a Black Widow Spider Bite Harmful?

Even though people don’t usually die from black widow spider bites, they are still venomous spiders. But one of the reasons they wouldn’t be fatal is that the venom they inject isn’t potent enough for the human body’s size. Spider venom is meant to serve as a defense mechanism on smaller animals.

Sometimes you may get lucky, and no venom injected (also known as a “dry bite”). But the bite will leave tiny puncture wounds and cause local swelling. It’s possible to feel little to no pain from a “dry bite.”

If it turns out to be a more severe bite, then you can expect some of the following symptoms:

  • Muscle pain
  • Cramping
  • Nausea
  • Mild paralysis of the diaphragm

If you believe that a black widow spider has bitten you, seek treatment if you aren’t sure how severe the bite was.

Concerned With Black Widow Spiders?

Do you seem to have a lot of black widows around? YES Pest Pros are ready to provide the best pest control services in Bloomington and Columbus, Indiana. 

Call us today for a free quote!

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More Posts

How long do you have if a black widow bites you?

Severe symptoms usually start to improve within 2 to 3 days, but milder symptoms may last for several weeks. Death in a healthy person is very rare. Young children, people who are very ill, and older people may not survive a bite.

Can you survive a black widow bite?

In rare and extreme cases, black widow spider venom poisoning may lead to seizures and even death. Death generally doesn't occur in healthy adults. Young people, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to serious complications and death from a black widow spider bite.

What happens if a human gets bit by a black widow?

The black widow spider makes a venom that affects your nervous system. Some people are slightly affected by it, but others may have a severe response. Right away, you may feel severe pain, burning, swelling, and redness at the site. You may even see two fang marks.

Can you survive a black widow bite without treatment?

Black widow spider bites can be dangerous, especially to young children and elderly people. Hospital treatment is sometimes needed, but fatal bites are rare.