How To Treat A Black Widow Bite

Medication For Pain And Itching

The pain from a black widow bite is serious, but it might be more serious in children, seniors, and individuals who live with a compromised immune system. Furthermore, even after a patient has been to the doctor, they might experience pain for several days after the bite occurs. Medication for pain and itching is recommended for anyone who is bitten. The best over-the-counter medications are either ibuprofen or acetaminophen products. Both allow patients to experience some relief from the pain, and both are safe to take over the course of a few days. If the black widow bite continues to itch, patients may want to keep it wrapped. This helps stop individuals from scratching it and opening the wound. An open wound is prone to infection, and a black widow bite is not one anyone wants to infect.

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Antivenom Medication

Antivenom medication is not a requirement for all black widow bites. There are those who mistakenly believe patients need the injection if they are going to live through the bite. These bites are not always fatal in adults, but they are especially dangerous in small children. Doctors will decide if the antivenom is the right treatment option for each patient, and it will be administered through a vein in the leg if it is the right option. It’s important to realize many individuals suffer allergic reactions to this treatment, and your doctor needs to be present to ensure the patient's life is not threatened. This antivenom stops the venom from the spider from causing further harm. Doctors will also need to discuss the patient's case with another medical professional who has experience working with this treatment, so it might not be administered right away. Recovery from this can take anywhere from one week to twelve days.

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