Some scientists believe that they have among the most toxic spider bites in the world.

Others believe this to be a myth, and that deaths caused by the bite are from an allergic reaction.

Who is right?

I have often been plagued by this question because I've seen credible sources to support both sides of the coin.

But one thing nags me...

If it is an allergic reaction, as some researchers say, then why is no one having allergic reactions to the bites of other species of spider? Why just the black widow?

And why is it such a disputed thing whether or not black widow bites are generally lethal or not. Given the current level of modern science, I would think that it would be fairly easy to determine conclusively whether it is one way or another.

Does the fact that such a dispute exists at all to the detriment of science? Or just the stupidity and gullibility of humans, the way we spread baseless myths for others to believe and accept?

About why not everybody body is having allergic reactions from other spiders, it is because different spiders have different venom. Same reason why not all antidotes work on all snakes bites. Different chemical reactions working.

just as with snakes there are diffrent types of toxins and they react diffrent in diffrent species

Yes, but if the "allergic reaction" myth is true, other spider venoms should likewise cause allergic reactions. Each spider venom is different, but it's all still spider venom.

Personally, I think the allergic reaction line is garbage. It is in vogue in society today to categorize anything that makes a person sick as attributable to allergic reaction.

Get sick from cigarette smoke? Well then, it must be an allergic reaction. Never mind that cigarette smoke is comprised of thousands of harmful chemicals.

Um no.. An allergic reaction is merely your body having a negative reaction to certain things.. The reasons different venom is considered.. Well different is that they are made of different things. If people are having allergic reactions to one type of venom over another, it means that there is something in that black widow venom not found in other types.

Similar how one person can be allergic to a certain type of fruit, but not all types.

And yet, I would think that black widow venom is similar enough to other kinds of venom that other venoms would produce a similar response. It can't be completely unique in that respect.

In spite of the vast differences, all spider venom kills in roughly the same way, through inflicting cellular necrosis and mass system toxicity. If black widow venom causes cellular necrosis and system toxicity and kills people in that manner---and I don't know that it does, but it would seem natural and if it does---then it is not a matter of allergic reaction. It's a matter of the venom doing what it's supposed to do.

Considering the varied ranges of effects that venom has from say a tarantula bite to that of the Brown recluse, I would say that yes, there is a varied enough chemical mixture ot make enough of a difference when it comes to allergies.

However I do agree with you that the whole allergic thing for the black widow spider is more than likely a myth. Though it's hard to be sure, there are weirder things in nature.

From personal experience...I got bit in a "Sensitive " area when I was younger. You can debate the semantics all day long...what I know for certain...it is no damned fun!

Other than that...they are beautiful and very useful in keeping down the insect population....freaks my family and friends out that I refuse to kill them...or any arachnid for that matter...

Beautiful??? All arachnids must die!!!!!!!!!!!!



I know all spiders are good in that they keep insect populations down...however as I have arachnophobia, I lose a bit of sanity every time one startles me in my room.

I understand why they are needed, but why must they look so menacing???