Black widow spider

A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Arachnids, basic features

Arthropods, basic features

Black widow spider

This first symptom is usually pain similar to a pinprick. This sensation is felt when the bite is actually made. Some people may not feel it. There may be minor swelling, redness, and a target-shaped lesion.

Fifteen minutes to an hour later, a dull muscle pain spreads from the bite area to the entire body.

• If the bite is on the upper body, you will usually feel most of the pain in your chest.
• If the bite is on your lower body, you will usually feel most of the pain in the abdomen.

The following symptoms can also occur:

• Anxiety
• Difficulty breathing
• Extremely painful muscle cramps
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Increased salivation
• Increased sweating
• Light sensitivity
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness
• Restlessness
• Seizures (usually seen just before death in children)

Pregnant women may have contractions and go into premature labor.

Review Date: 10/04/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

---

---