animal/insect bites Flashcards
black widow spider bites toxic to what body system?
nervous sys
A bite from a female releases a toxic venom that attacks your nerve endings.
severe pain and muscle cramps can start in a couple of hours. Pain and muscle cramps can be treated. Antivenin is available but is needed only rarely.
Muscle cramps start in the area of the bite (often a hand or foot) and move towards the center of the body.
There will be tiny puncture wounds at the bite site, with some local swelling. Wash the area well with soap and water.
Some black widow bites cause such extreme pain that it’s mistaken for appendicitis or a heart attack. This kind of intense pain is treated with narcotics. Muscle cramps are treated with muscle relaxants. Once in a while, black widow bites can cause trouble breathing.
