Black widow spider bite: Difference between revisions

Line 17: Line 17:
*Pain becomes generalized  
*Pain becomes generalized  
**Severe abdominal wall musculature pain and cramping
**Severe abdominal wall musculature pain and cramping
*HA, n/v, diaphoresis, photophobia, dyspnea  
*[[HA]], [[n/v]], diaphoresis, [[photophobia]], [[dyspnea ]]
*A-fib, myocarditis, priapism, and death are rare
*[[A-fib]], [[myocarditis]], [[priapism]], and death are rare


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==

Revision as of 21:02, 25 September 2015

Background

Black widow spider
  • Identification: red hourglass on otherwise black spider
  • Genus: Latrodectus

Mechanism

Envenomation causes release of acetylcholine and norepinephrine from the nerve terminals causing muscle cramps, tachycardia and hypertension

Clinical Features

Local

  • Pinprick sensation; then increasing local pain that may spread to entire extremity
  • Erythema appears 20-60 min after the bite
  • Pain begins to abate after several hours and disappears by 2-3d

Systemic

  • Muscle cramp-like spasms in large muscle groups (although exam rarely reveals rigidity)
  • Pain becomes generalized
    • Severe abdominal wall musculature pain and cramping
  • HA, n/v, diaphoresis, photophobia, dyspnea
  • A-fib, myocarditis, priapism, and death are rare

Differential Diagnosis

Envenomations, bites and stings

Diagnosis

  • Typically clinical

Management

  • Pain and muscle spasms
    • Opiods and benzos
  • Systemic illness
    • Antivenin
      • Consider for:
        • Children
        • Pregnant women
        • Elderly

Disposition

  • Consider admission for:
    • Symptoms of moderate envenomation
    • Pregnant women
    • Children
    • Pts w/ preexisting cardiovascular disease or HTN

See Also

External Links

Sources