The brown widow spider scientifically known as Latrodectus geometricus is found in the tropical and subtropical areas, including Hawaii parts of Australia and the Caridean islands, and is related to the black widow spider. The color of the spider may range from tan to dark brown. In size it is an inch to one and a half inches long. Both the brown and the black widow spiders have a yellow to orange hour glass look on the underside of their abdomen. The brown widow spider is found in areas that are not disturbed such as crawl spaces and wood piles. It can be described as a shy spider and they are less likely to bite humans but when they come in contact with the human skin they can bite. Bites are more likely to occur through accidental contact or even pressing the spider against ones skin.
The symptoms of a brown widow spider bite are a red mark left at the bite site. This could be accompanied by some pain. The bite itself however may be painless or feel like a little pinprick. A bite from the female black widow spider is dangerous to humans but that of the male is not dangerous. The female has a larger venomous reserve and have stronger biting muscles when compared to the male.
Symptoms from a black widow spider bite
Within one hour after the bite the victims start experiencing some of the symptoms. Some of the symptoms include; the victim’s stomach muscles get ridged and this can easily mistake for appendicitis, the area that has been bitten starts to sweat profusely and urine retention. These are some of the symptoms that can be observed from the victim. There are some other less common symptoms which include agitation, fever, numbness and patchy paralysis. In an effort to lessen the pain, the victim will be seen rocking back and forth. The above are the severe symptoms observed on victims but most of the time the symptoms resemble the flu. The bite does not cause swelling or tissue deterioration around the bite. The venom of the black widow spider is a neurotoxin that affects the nerve muscle junction in the victim’s body.
Symptoms from a brown widow spider bite
The bite of the brown widow spider is much milder when compared to that of the black widow spider. Victims reported that the bite hurt when it happened and a red mark was left at the spot. The victims do not get severe symptoms and they do not require hospitalization. The brown widow spider does not inject much venom during the bite and this makes it less dangerous when compared to the black widow spider.
Once bitten by either the black or the brown widow spider the victim should seek medical attention immediately. To relieve pain, they should place a cold pack on the bite area. There is an anti-venom for the black widow bite. Victims respond fast to the anti-venom and go back to normal is thirty minutes. The patient can also endure the symptoms that dissipate in several days.
To reduce the chances of encountering the widow spider you should reduce clutter in your home especially the corner of rooms, basements and storage area and other seldom visited areas of the house. Before wearing any clothing stored away shake them off first. You can place sticky traps on the baseboard of the house to catch the spiders and determine their population as well. A bite from the widow spiders is not fatal. The symptoms may also vary from one person to another and will clear in a few days.
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