Statistical context
The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports zero deaths from spider envenomation in most recent annual data. Bee and wasp stings cause vastly more deaths annually in the United States.
When to be cautious
Young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk of severe outcomes from any envenomation. If a widow or recluse bite is suspected in these populations, seek evaluation promptly.
References
- [1]Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers - AAPCC NPDS. Accessed June 2026.
Related in Bites and medical
- How to identify a spider biteMost lesions blamed on spiders are not spider bites.
- Brown recluse bite: symptoms and treatmentLoxoscelism - the syndrome caused by Loxosceles envenomation - is rare even within the brown recluse's native range and is over-diagnosed.
- Black widow bite: symptoms and treatmentLatrodectism is the syndrome caused by Latrodectus envenomation.
- Spider bite vs. MRSA infectionThe most common misdiagnosis for a 'spider bite' is community-acquired MRSA.
- Necrotic arachnidism: scope and overdiagnosisNecrotic skin lesions attributed to spiders are overwhelmingly caused by other agents.
- Antivenom for widow envenomationLatrodectus antivenom (Antivenin Latrodectus mactans, Merck) is effective at relieving systemic latrodectism but is reserved for severe or refractory cases due to the risk of acute hypersensitivity and serum sickness..