Southern widow spiders are primarily located in the southeastern United States (including southern Ohio and Maryland). The 2 species most commonly implicated in envenomation within the United States are the Latrodectus mactans, or the southern black widow spider, and the Latrodectus hesperus, or the western black widow spider.
Black widow spiders thrive in warmer climates, and except in Antarctica, exist on every continent. Treatment ranges from simple analgesia to the administration of antivenom.Īpproximately 2600 Latrodectus-species exposures are reported to the National Poison Data System (NPDS) each year. Symptoms of envenomation range from local irritation and pain to a more systemic syndrome termed “latrodectism.” Latrodectism is characterized by variations in presentations ranging from autonomic disturbances to widespread pain and rigidity. Females have more prominent venomous glands, longer fangs and a body size that can reach up to 20-times larger than their male counterparts. The female gender of the species is the most dangerous, compared to their male counterparts. They have fangs and venomous glands sufficient to cause harm to humans. Black widow spiders range from 5 to 15 mm (0.25 to 0.50 inch) in length. Interestingly, this species is well known by the phenomenon of the female spider devouring the male spider after mating, thereby making her a widow. The Black Widow, or Latrodectus mactans, is easily identified by its characteristic shiny black body and strikingly red hourglass-shaped marking on the abdomen. The genus Latrodectus derives its ubiquitous nickname “black widow” from its physical characteristics. Within the United States, it is responsible for most of the clinically significant envenomation among all species of spiders. There are more than 30 different types of black widow spiders worldwide however, not all species are as relevant due to their separation from human habitat. Clinically, it is one of most significant species of spiders worldwide. General first-aid treatment for spider bites includes cleaning the wound, icing the bite to reduce pain, and elevating the wound site if possible.The black widow spider species, also known by its biological nomenclature as the Latrodectus species is one of more than 40,000 different species of spiders. In addition, a spider bite might be caused by herpes, bedsores, diabetic ulcers, poison oak and Lyme disease. What looks like a spider bite may have been caused by kissing bugs, fleas, bed bugs, flies, mites, wasps, ants and blister beetles. Some of these are the hobo spider, running spider, jumping spider, wolf spider, tarantula, sac spider and orbweaver spider. There are other spiders that can produce bite wounds like the bite of the brown recluse. If infection develops, antibiotics are used. There is no special treatment or medication used for a bite from a brown recluse spider. Other possible symptoms include mild fever, rash, nausea and fatigue.
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This injury requires professional medical attention. If these spiders wander indoors, they hide in dark closets, shoes, or attics.Ī fluid-filled blister forms at the site of the bite and then drops off to leave an explanding ulcer. This spider is about a half-inch long and is light brown.īrown recluse spiders are usually found underneath logs, rock piles and leaves. It is brown with a dark violin-shaped marking on its head. The brown recluse spider, also known as the violin or fiddleback spider, is common in the midwestern and southern states. Medications are used to treat the cramps, spasms and pain of a bite. If muscle cramps develop, take the patient to the nearest hospital.
Symptoms include severe cramps, weakness, headache, anxiety, itching, nausea, vomiting and difficult breathing.
Seniors, young children and people with high blood pressure are at highest risk of developing symptoms from a black widow spider bite, which looks like a red ring. These spiders are found throughout North America, but are most common in the southern and western areas of the United States. Only the female spider is dangerous to humans. The mark is red or orange.īlack widow spiders live in dark places such as closets and woodpiles. It is shiny and deep black with an hourglass-shaped mark on its belly. The black widow spider is from one-half inch to one inch long. The most dangerous spiders to humans are the black widow and brown recluse. The fangs of most spiders are either too short or too fragile to penetrate human skin. Spiders spend their entire lives capturing and eating other insects.Īll spiders deliver venom to their victims through fangs. Spiders are defined as having eight jointed legs, no wings, no antennae and only two body sections. There are at least 50,000 spider species.
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