Spider bite symptoms?

What are the symptoms of black widow spider bite?

• i found one as i was getting into bed. well if i did not see it and if it bit me in my sleep what would occur? it was frightening and how do i know it did not bite me at all? there could be more lurking even if i changed the bedding! scared please advise!

• Answer:

  First: You have a greater chance of being hit by lightning while sitting on your sofa eating ice cream, than finding a black widow in your bed. Unless you 'allow' them they won't even be found indoors. (other than tool sheds and outhouses) about widows: These are comb footed cobweb spiders that make a web with a hide. They never leave the web unless they are driven out. They don't wander, they are very shy and run from threat or play dead. To specifically answer your question: Bites usually occur from trapping the spider against the skin,or blindly reaching into a web. Bite symptoms can range from insignificant to very severe requiring medical attention. Because their fangs are very small, initially, a bite produces little or no pain,usually noticeable though. After 20 to 30 minutes a noticeable itchy welt with some minor swelling may appear. This will gradually worsen and become noticeably painful. After a couple hours this will become very uncomfortable with possible excessive swelling and significant pain. a sore or lesion may begin at the bite site. There may be other symptoms beginning like euphoria, sweating, blurred vision. After 8 to 12 hours, possible cramps,nausea,respiratory stress and cardiac disrythmia. If you have allergies to bites,even anaphylaxis. The level of any or all of these symptoms depend on your tolerance to venom,the dosage from the bite, physical condition such as age, compromised immune system, heart or respiratory conditions. People most at risk are young children,elderly, those with allergies,or in poor health. No one has died from a black widow bite in 50 years, and many bites have not required medical attention. You need not fear these spiders, just respect they can have a bad bite,keep fingers out of webs and avoid playing with the spider. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4OftWZn5BU