Black widow spider bite: “Can’t we just get a divorce?”

Abstract

Black widow spiders are found across the United States and worldwide. Building webs in uninhabited dark places such as barns, garages, fences, and woodpiles, these spiders only bite when unexpectedly disturbed. Black widow spider bites cause local pain with minimal swelling, and may present with greater systemic severity, including autonomic dysfunction and abdominal rigidity. The prognosis is good, and mortality is rare. Treatment is generally supportive and focuses on pain control, but the clinical presentation warrants ruling out other concerning diagnoses.