Originally posted by: Stumps
A Black Widow is closely related to the Australian Red Back...which has stronger venom.
The Red Back is regarded as generally harmless in Australia, unless you have an allergic reaction to the bite or are a small child, to which then you need Anti-venin.
Like I said, I have been biten many times by redbacks, even large females (which have caused fatalities in the past), the bite is extremely painful and you do get some localised swelling, but the results are no worse than a bee sting.
I'm aware of this, but saying that a black widow bite is no worse than a bee sting is insane.
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I will concede that death is rare, but it's certainly not unheard of or impossible, and it has nothing to do with being allergic to the venom.
I did find this tidbit -
In one study in Australia, however, around 70% of the individuals only presented with local symptoms and did not present with systemic symptoms.
I wouldn't doubt that you Australians have developed some form of immunity to the venom. So I believe you, but that only appears to be common in Australia.