Definition
The black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) has a glossy black body with a red hourglass on the ventral area. The bite of this spider is poisonous.
This is for information purposes only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual toxic exposure.
toxic element
The venom of black widow spider contains toxic chemicals that make people sick.
Where is
The black widow spider is found throughout the United States, but mainly in the south and west. Usually found in barns, sheds, stone walls, fences, piles of logs, garden furniture and other outdoor structures.
Symptoms
The first symptom is usually pain similar to a puncture with a pin and the sensation experienced when actually carried out the sting of the spider. However, some people do not feel. It can be mild redness and swelling present.
From 15 minutes to an hour later, a dull muscle pain radiates from the area of the bite throughout the body.
* If the bite is in the upper body, most often feel pain in the chest.
* If bitten on the lower body, most will feel the pain in the abdomen.
You can also submit the following symptoms:
* Anxiety
* Shortness of breath
* Extremely painful muscle cramps
* Headache
* Hypertension
* Increased salivation
* Increased sweating
* Muscle weakness
* Nausea and vomiting
* Numbness
* Restlessness
* Seizures (usually seen just before death in children)
Pregnant women may have contractions and premature birth.
Treatment at home
Look for urgent medical treatment immediately. Wrap ice in a cloth fabric or similar material and place it on the site of the bite, leaving him 10 minutes and removed 10. Repeat this process.
Determine the following information:
* Age, weight and condition of the patient
* Time at which the bite occurred
* Area where the bite occurred
* Type of spider, if possible
The doctor measures and monitors patient vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiratory rate and blood pressure. The symptoms can be treated with a variety of therapies, such as:
* Drugs antihipertensores
* Muscle relaxants
* Analgesics
In severe cases, it should be administered an antidote to neutralize the toxic effect. However, this drug may cause dangerous allergic reactions.
Expectations (prognosis)
Severe symptoms usually disappear in 2 to 3 days, but milder symptoms may persist for several weeks. Death is uncommon in a normally healthy person, but young children, the very sick and the elderly can not survive a bite of this spider.
