Quote: “Just to post a warning to those who come into contact with a Black Widow. About 7 years ago I was bitten by Black Widow that was no bigger than a dime right on my left wrist while draining my automotive shop air tank moisture valves. When I saw what it was and only because I felt a little sting and pulled my arm back and smacked it off my wrist and it hit the ground upside down. For a second I thought, damn I’m in big trouble, then cooler heads prevailed and I figured do to the size that a tiny amount of venom wouldn’t do much, You know the MOCHO manly attitude of it can’t hurt me. Well let me tell you something, after an hour had passed people noticed my color and slurred speech as if I was drunk at 7 in the morning started to take hold. Then another 10 minutes I was doubled over with what I would call the worst stomach cramps that I have ever or thought could have. I went to take a customers car back to them 2 streets down and all I remember is I walked in and went to give the person the keys and then collapsed. I was rushed to the hospital by my friend and persons car I was working on which thank GOD was only about a mile away. Upon arrival, someone had called ahead and to this day I don’t know who and told them to be ready I was on the way. I don’t know what happened when I got there because I was in and out of consciousness and had more tubes put in me than I can remember. I was given 3 or 4 dosages of the anti-venom and stayed an entire week in there until I recovered enough to be sent home. Anyhow the moral of the story is that I played a deadly game with an animal that could have killed me and it almost succeeded because of my stupidity and so called he-man nature. In reality I was brought to my knees and will NEVER take a stupid chance like that again. The MORAL of the story is no matter how small or how bulletproof you think you are YOU/I/ANYONE are no match for one of GOD’s more venomous creatures and don’t let the size of the animal fool you as it did me. The bottom line is we don’t fair to well when bitten and injected with this type of poison and it can and will KILL people if they don’t seek help in time. Plainly put “Don’t be a fool and get your butt to a hospital ASAP!!!!!!!!” Unquote. Unedited.

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To limit the side effects of black widow antivenin, the patient should consider the following:

• If they have had reactions to black widow antivenin before, they should tell the doctor.
• If they have any serious allergies, they should tell the doctor.
• If they are pregnant, then the doctor should know right away.
• If they are using any other types of medicines, the doctor needs to know.
• If they are breastfeeding, they should tell the doctor.

Assuming that these things are considered, and that the patient shows no other problems with black widow antivenin consideration, then black widow antivenin may be given as a rule.

Some more benign symptoms of black widow antivenin include:

• Fever
• Joint Pain
• Aching Muscles
• Enlarged Lymph Nodes
• Rashes

More serious symptoms of black widow antivenin include:

• Trouble Breathing or Swallowing
• Itching in the Hands or Feet
• Ears Becoming Red
• Swelling Anywhere above the Neck
• Sudden Weakness

The vast majority of black widow spider bites are relatively benign in nature. It is very very rare that someone dies from a black widow spider bite. Occasionally a small child or a elderly person may succumb to the Black widow spider bite venom. This is rare as well. In spite of the relatively small chances of death, the suffering of the black widow bite victim is usually rather common. For this reason, the black widow spider antivenin is widely used and accepted. Not only can it save a spider bite victim’s life, but it can reduce their suffering as well.

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The Copperhead

The family of rattlesnakes, of which there are many subspecies, are among the more deadly along with the coral snake. The coral snake is not quite as dangerous simply because they are not encountered nearly as often, and when they do they are not as quick to bite. The cottonmouth is a fairly plentiful species, and they are certainly not afraid to bite, but they are found primarily in the Southern part of the US. The copperhead is spread all over. They are quick to bite if stepped on or messed with.

Another key factor with copperhead venomous snake bites is that they are found where the people are. Copperheads will set up in residential neighborhoods, farms, and even small forests that line the neighborhoods. If you see a venomous snake around your home, the chances are very high that it is a copperhead. Because of this proximity to people, the copperhead snake bite is the most common venomous snake bite in the United States.

The bite of the copperhead can range from very mild to highly dangerous. Most healthy adults will not have a serious problem with copperhead snake bites. Children, the elderly or anyone with a compromised immune system however can have major reactions to copperhead snake bite venom. As such, any copperhead snake bite should be viewed as a medical emergency. You should head to the emergency room as soon as possible if you are bitten by this snake.

The copperhead is by and large a very harmless snake that wants no part of people. They provide a wonderful service to our ecosystem, and without these snakes we would likely be overrun with vermin and things of this nature.

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Pictures of Brown Recluse Spider Bites

What you should do when a brown recluse spider bites you:

1.  Do go to the emergency room or doctor.  Brown recluse spider bites are serious because the venom is necrotic.  That is, it eats away at and kills tissue under the skin.  These bites can lead to serious complications up to and including amputation.  Worst case scenarios may even include death.

2.  Do apply ice to a brown recluse spider bite.  This will help with swelling and pain, and should be done on the way to the doctor.

3.  Do wash the bite site with soap and cool water.  This will help the brown recluse spider bite site resist infection.

4.  Do elevate the limb above the heart.  Venom travels through the blood stream, and you want to keep the bite site above your heart.

5. Do take acetamenophene for any pain you experience from the brown recluse spider bite.

6.  Do remain calm after being bitten by a brown recluse spider.  The venom travels faster if you are excited or active.

What you should not do if bitten by a brown recluse spider:

1.  Do not risk retrieving the spider unless you can safely do so.  You do not want to risk another bite.  Try to identify the brown recluse.  You can read about brown recluse spider identification here.

2.  Do not ever add heat to the bite site.  Heat will cause the tissue to break down quicker with a brown recluse spider bite.

3.  Do not suck, cut, or attempt to remove the venom from a brown recluse spider bite.  This can cause further damage as well as an added risk of spreading the venom.

4.  Do not medicate the brown recluse bite site with creams, or medicines of any kind.  Some of these can cause major problems with a brown recluse spider bite.

When you arrive at the doctors, you may receive any number of treatments for your brown recluse spider bite.  These can include tetanus shots, allergy meds, pain medications, and even antibiotics.  These depend on the site, as well as your reaction to the brown recluse spider bite.

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Black Widow

Hopefully you are never unlucky enough to be bitten by a black widow spider, but just in case you do, it might be a good idea to know what to do.  The first thing in any venomous spider bite is to remain calm.  The black widow spider injects venom into your system that will spread much faster if you are panicked. Relax and know that you will be okay.

The first thing you should do is apply ice to the bite site. Wrap the ice in something such as a shirt, washcloth, or other covering and then apply.  Leave the ice on for about 9 minutes at a time, and then take it off for approximately the same amount of time.

The next step should actually be done while doing the above.  Transport the victim to the hospital or nearest medical facility.   Your job is done once the victim has reached the hospital.

When the spider bite victim reaches the hospital the doctor may take any number of steps.  These include muscle relaxants and careful blood pressure monitoring.  Certainly pain medicine will be administered if needed, and sometimes a medicine called antivenin is used.

Antivenin for black widow spider bites is called “lactodectrus mactans” and it is reserved for only the worst of the black widow spider bites.  The black widow antivenin is sometimes a problem with certain patients, so they are careful about who they administer it to.

The black widow spider is not always quick to release venom.  Sometimes the bites are “dry” or venom is not injected.  The black widow needs that venom to secure food and prey in the wild.  They do not want to waste it on a huge human that they can not eat.

Children, the elderly, and those in poor health are the most at risk group with black widow spider bites.  If you fall in this category and are bitten, you need to get to the hospital right away.  The vast majority of people that are bitten by black widow spiders recover fully and live to tell the tale.

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