SPIDER BITE

SYMPTOMS—Pain, swelling, nervous reactions.

Black widow bite: Within a short time the victim feels agonizing pain throughout the body, especially in the abdomen, which may be rigid as a board. Cold sweats, difficulty in breathing, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes delirium and convulsions occur.

CAUSES—Spider, scorpion, and centipede bites: These can sometimes be dangerous; most are very painful. (Also see "Insect Bite.") In case of spider bite, see a physician; it might be a black widow.

Black widow bites: Black widow venom is more potent, drop for drop, than the poison of a pit viper (rattlesnake, copperhead, or cotton mouth); but an extremely small amount is injected in each spider bite.

TREATMENT— Always seek competent medical advice first.

• The bite of a black widow should be treated like a snake bite (which see), except that it is not necessary to give antivenin.

• If there is swelling or pain after a spider bite, keep calm and apply a constricting band 2-4 inches above (above) the bite. Loosen the band for 15 seconds every 10 minutes. Do not let the extremity turn blue! Do not move the affected area, and keep it below the heart level, if possible. The victim should lie down. Pack ice around the wound.

• The objective, throughout the above paragraph, is to slow the blood and reduce spread of the poison.

• Drink as much yellow dock as possible or take 2 capsules every hour till symptoms recede. Swallow echinacea. Apply white oak bark poultices. Slippery elm, plantain, or comfrey are also good.

• Massive doses of vitamin C may save a life.

CAMEL SPIDER PICTURES

Note: We are not affiliated with any online college or online university. This site is for fun and education only.