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Health and Medicine - Which First Aid Measures Can Be Used For A Bite By A Black Widow Spicier?

Which first aid measures can be used for a bite by a black widow spicier?

The black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans), which has an extremely poisonous bite, is common throughout the United States. Unfortunately, there are no first aid measures to help the victim of a black widow bite.

The victim of a black widow bite will initially feel a pinprick with a dull numbing pain, followed by swelling. An ice cube may be placed over the bite to relieve pain. Between 10 and 40 minutes after the bite, the victim will experience severe abdominal pain and tightening of the stomach muscles. Next comes muscle spasms in the extremities (hands and feet), temporary paralysis that moves upward through the body, and difficulty in swallowing and breathing.

The severity of symptoms varies according to the victim's age, body size, and degree of sensitivity. The mortality rate is less than 1 percent;...

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