What to do if you are bitten by a “black widow” or “violinist” spider?

When we are doing a deep cleaning in our home it is not uncommon to find insects or bugs that are in the corners of the house or under the furniture, but we usually get scared when there is a presence of spiders.

The worst part is that we’re talking about one of the most dangerous spiders; they are popularly known as the “black widow” and the “violinist”.

But how can you tell if a spider is dangerous?

In Mexico, the most common spiders are those known as “patuda,” meaning long-legged spiders, which belong to the Pholcidae family. These are the most common and harmless spiders; in fact, they use their webs to catch flies and mosquitoes, as explained by an expert on these species.

On the other hand, there are two very dangerous species to be very careful of, these are the ones already mentioned: “black widow” and “violinist”.

Description of this species:

They can be identified by their appearance: a shiny black body with a reddish hourglass shape. Their highly toxic venom, which they inject when they bite, can cause the following symptoms:

• It causes chest pain if it leaves an injury in the upper part and abdominal pain if it has passed in the lower end.
• There may also be headache, sweating, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, numbness, etc.

The question is how to proceed if we are bitten by one of these species:

What to do if you are bitten by a “black widow” spider?

1. First, we clean the affected area with soap and water.
2. Next, place some ice on the sting, preferably wrapped in a clean cloth or towel. Apply it for about 10 minutes, rest for a few minutes, and then apply the ice again.
3. First and foremost, we must keep the injured area immobile; this is the only way to prevent the toxin from spreading throughout the body.
4. Finally, we loosen anything that might cause pressure, such as rings.

What to do if you are bitten by a “violinist” spider?

The spider called “violinist” is also known as the “corner” spider; a very notable description is that at the level of the head it has the shape of a violin and it reaches between 1.8 and 3 centimeters in length.

The bite it inflicts can even cause skin sores and in severe cases, could even cause the person’s death.

The following urgent measures must be taken:

1. First, we wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. We also apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
2. Next, we apply cold compresses.
3. Finally, the affected area must be raised.

After taking these steps, it’s crucial to identify the type of spider that bit you. At the same time, go to a health center immediately to receive the best treatment.


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