Black Widow Spider Bite (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Black Widow Spider Bite Overview
- Black Widow Spider Bite Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Black Widow Spider Bite Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Pictures of Black Widow vs. Brown Recluse - Slideshow

When to Seek Medical Care
Treatment for serious reactions to a black widow spider's bite will be beyond the scope of most medical offices and urgent care centers. Pain relief may require the use of narcotics and antivenin (antitoxin to counteract the effects of the spider venom).
The decision to seek emergency care should be made early. If the person who was bitten by a black widow spider has more than minor pain or has whole-body symptoms, seek care at a hospital's Emergency Department. If symptoms are severe, call 911 for emergency medical transport so that evaluation and treatment can start en route to the hospital.
Next: Black Widow Spider Bite Treatment »
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Spider Envenomation, Widow »
Widow spiders belong to the genus Latrodectus and include the black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans mactans) in the United States.
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