I guess it wasn't fond of being trapped between the ear protector & my ear. I typically vacuum out shoes that have sat around a bit unused, before wearing them again, however I forgot to do the same with the ear protectors. The back side of my ear has gotten red & there is a throbbing/stabbing discomfort. I was stung by a swarm of bees when I was 10, however this far exceeds that experience. Topical application & oral intake of Oil of Oregano helps.

You may want to go to a hospital if it isn't going to burden you. A doctor may be able to give you a shot that will help reduce the pain and spare you days of intense pain that may not be necessary. People often feel significant relief from the antivenin.

I understand a hospital stay goes along with the anti-venom shot, due to the need to manage all the "side-effects" that come along with it. And that it's only given when symptons are severe. Not to be cavalier, I've consulted my physician, and think I can live with the pain. Definitely wouldn't recommend the experience, however.

Christina,
Thank you for the ID. Was also able to cross reference the info at the UC Davis, California IPM web pages. Here are the links, in case they are of further interest to others.

Black Widow Spider Management:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7442.html

Juvenile Black Widow Spider photo:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/L/I-AR-LMAC-NM.010.html
This one is a bit darker, and I'm assuming slightly more mature, than the one in the photo I provided, however the patterns are clearly the same.

I don't attempt to identify anything I have not had direct personal experience with. For example, I know a Broad-nosed weevil (Enteminae) on sight, and may point it out but leave species or genus level to an expert, even if I have a good idea. If you have to pull out a field guide or browse through pictures to make a guess on something, you not only make a fool of yourself, but muddy the waters for someone else who has accurate information to contribute. Your also doing something the contributer could accomplish for themselves. More harmful than helpful to the website.

Emma, how are the symptoms today?
I am a roofer, and often come across widows in materials such as pallets of shingles. A couple of weeks ago, I woke with sharp pains in my gut, and driving to a jobsite, went into shock. Tunnel vision, cold sweats, the whole nine yards. It was bad enough at the worst I thought I would have to pull off the highway and hope someone stopped to check and drive me to the hospital. I pulled out the same zen-like determination that keeps me going in 120 degree weather and made it through part of the day before I gave up. I thought from the shock and pain I had appendicitis, but since I got through the worst of it, the thought of emergency surgeries and such kept me from the doctor. The pain and low-grade fever continued and inexplicably moved into my chest! First one side, then after it had subsided, the other side. And now a week and a half later, I still have residual stabbing pains in various locations in my chest.

A widow bite or what? Sounds like it.
Hope you get to feeling better.

Hope you can get Medical attention. Symptoms should not have lingered this long for you. My situation is localized to my ear, with some lesser sensation of the venom having moved to the side of my face, & the under-side of my jaw & neck. Last night the pain was trying to move to my neck also, but retreated with rest. Although the ear is obviously painful, I'm fully functioning.

Thank you for everyone's support & concern. Was only hoping that I might get help ID'ing the spider. I had no idea I would get this great of a response. Thank you very much.

And on to the next agony, my neck went out hanging sheetrock on a rainy day. One day something will get me, but not today. As an aside from spider bites, we did a roof in Cottonplant, AR with a fully mature bee hive in the soffet! And the geniuses involved in removing it where just absolutely ate up with smart. They removed it while we were doing the roof, rain on the way, we couldn't stop bees or no bees. My boss got stung over twenty times. They where fairly docile at first, I even pulled and ate a chunk of honey comb with no protective gear, but then the genius removing them pissed them off when he removed the queen. No more nice bees.

First - I tried not to make an ID without "direct personal experience". I included a few links to possible subjects and said to "have someone look at the spider and/or the bite".

I know that she "could accomplish" it herself, but I'm not sure if someone with a possible widow bite needs a tough-love teach-a-man-to-fish lesson. Should only experts ever respond to "ID request"?

I was trying not to as you say "make a fool of (my)self", or "muddy the waters for someone else who has accurate information to contribute". I weighed the difference of making a fool of myself (possibly being the boy who cried wolf), or keeping silent while someone else may have needed advice and medical attention. I took the personal risk and tried to help a stranger.

If that is "more harmful than helpful to the website" maybe I just don't understand.

we all just get along?
I like ice cream. How bout you?