Given the abnormal activity of karakurt spiders in the Mangystau region, doctors reminded Kazakhstanis of the symptoms of a 'black widow' bite. Medics advise seeking professional help immediately when the first signs appear. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The karakurt is considered one of the most dangerous spiders. It is also called the 'black widow'. Encounters with humans often occur during spider migrations when karakurts are looking for places to build lairs and weave cocoons.
In Kazakhstan, karakurts live and breed in dry areas, deserts, sandy and pebble beaches, and among low vegetation, staying close to the ground. The karakurt spider does not settle in houses. It never lives in multi-story buildings.
Their main distribution areas are Mangystau, Atyrau, Kyzylorda, Turkestan, Zhambyl regions and West Kazakhstan region. In recent years, due to hot summers, their range has expanded, and they are even found in central and northern regions of the country.
The bite itself is not painful, and it is difficult to find the bite site on the body because the spider cannot pierce the skin. However, according to doctors, soon after the bite, the venom begins to spread through the body, and the person develops acute pain syndrome.
Often the pain is girdling and occurs in the abdomen, sometimes in the lower back. A burning pain rises upward from the bite site. In addition, there is shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, headache, vomiting, and sweating.
Doctors note that after this, the patient develops agitation, which turns into delirium if medical help is not sought in time.
After three days, the body may become covered with an itchy rash, which disappears without a trace after another three days. Overall, the recovery process after a karakurt spider bite takes from three to ten days.
While in the wild—on a hike, picnic, hunting, or fishing—you can protect yourself with simple rules. First of all, to avoid being bitten by venomous spiders, never pick them up, try to catch them, or put them in a jar.
It is also recommended not to walk barefoot on open steppe areas, wear closed shoes, and tightly close the tent entrance or use mosquito nets. Carefully inspect clothing and shoes before putting them on during rest or hiking.
If you are bitten by a karakurt, seek help as soon as possible at the nearest clinic, hospital, paramedic station, or call an ambulance.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that in the Mangystau region, due to an abnormally rainy summer, dangerous venomous spiders have sharply activated, and the number of victims of their bites has increased several times compared to last year.