A Strange and Dangerous Incident
A 37-year-old woman from California ended up in the emergency room after injecting herself with venom from a black widow spider. The woman tried to get high by grinding up the spider, mixing it with water, and then injecting it into her veins. About an hour after the injection, she started experiencing severe cramps, muscle pain, headaches, and feelings of anxiety. Her symptoms worsened quickly, and she was rushed to the hospital.
The woman’s heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate all became elevated. Her body temperature also increased slightly. Doctors quickly realized the venom from the black widow spider was the cause of her condition.
What Is Black Widow Venom?
Black widow spider venom is known to cause pain and discomfort. It works by affecting the nervous system, leading to muscle cramps, spasms, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure. In some cases, it can cause serious problems like trouble breathing. The venom comes from a very small amount in the spider’s glands—just about 0.2 milligrams. However, by grinding up the entire spider, the woman likely injected a much higher dose than what someone would get from a bite.
Her symptoms also became more complicated because she had asthma. The venom may have triggered an allergic reaction, which made it harder for her to breathe.
The Treatment Process
Doctors started by giving her an IV of calcium gluconate to help with her muscle cramps, but it didn’t work as expected. She was then given morphine to ease the pain. Her breathing problems became more serious, so doctors gave her albuterol to help her breathe, but it didn’t seem to help. They switched to a stronger medicine called methylprednisolone, which is a steroid used to reduce inflammation.
Despite these treatments, her breathing difficulties continued. Doctors decided not to use antivenom, which is typically used for black widow spider bites, because it carries a risk of an allergic reaction. Since the woman was already having trouble breathing, they believed the antivenom could make things worse.
Eventually, after two days of treatment, the woman’s condition improved. Her breathing became normal again, and the muscle pain went away. She was moved from the intensive care unit to a general ward, where she recovered and was discharged the next day. The doctors advised her to continue using her asthma medications and take oral steroids to help with any remaining inflammation.
Why This Case Is Unique
Most black widow spider bites happen accidentally. People usually get bitten when they disturb a spider while cleaning or moving objects in places where spiders live, such as basements, garages, or outdoor sheds. In the United States, about 2,600 people are bitten by black widows each year. The bites are not usually deadly, but they can cause severe pain and discomfort.
However, this case is rare because the woman deliberately tried to use spider venom for recreational purposes. It’s not common for people to intentionally inject spider venom, but it’s not unheard of either. In 2023, a young boy in Bolivia let a black widow bite him, thinking it would give him superpowers like Spider-Man. These types of incidents highlight how dangerous it can be to experiment with substances like venom, especially when you don’t know the potential effects on your body.
The Risks of Using Spider Venom
Injecting black widow venom is extremely dangerous. The venom affects the nervous system and can lead to severe symptoms, such as muscle spasms, heart problems, and breathing difficulties. In some cases, it could even lead to death if not treated properly. The woman in this case was lucky to survive, but many others might not be so fortunate. It’s a reminder of how important it is to understand the risks of substances before using them.
Key Takeaways:
- Black widow spider venom can cause serious health issues when injected into the body.
- Symptoms include muscle pain, cramps, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.
- The woman’s asthma made her symptoms worse, and doctors had to try several treatments before she improved.
- Deliberately injecting venom is rare, but it shows the dangers of experimenting with substances you don’t fully understand.
(Source : newsbreak.com)
