Meet Two of the Most Dangerous Spiders in the U.S.: Black Widow & Brown Recluse
While bites from these spiders are uncommon, they can lead to serious health problems that need quick medical attention.
Brown Recluse Spider
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Appearance: Light to dark brown with a distinctive violin-shaped mark on its back.
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Habitat: Prefers dark, quiet, and undisturbed spots like closets, basements, or woodpiles.
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Bite Symptoms: Initially painless but can quickly worsen—causing severe tissue damage (necrosis), along with fever and chills.
Black Widow Spider
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Appearance: Shiny black with a bright red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. Females are larger and more prone to biting when threatened.
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Bite Symptoms: Intense pain at the bite site, muscle cramps, nausea, and sometimes difficulty breathing—often starting within an hour.
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Treatment: Severe bites may require antivenin, strong pain medication, and muscle relaxants.
