A MAN had to spend five days in hospital after being bitten by a false widow spider.
Adam Roberts was disappointed to find he couldn’t stick to walls like the hero Spiderman but thanked the staff at Poole Hospital for saving his finger.
The 37-year-old’s holiday in Mablethorpe, Skegness, took a turn for the worse after waking up with a swollen finger.
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He told the Daily Echo: “I was on holiday in Mablethorpe and woke up on the Tuesday morning and my finger was very swollen and painful, I struggled to get my wedding ring off.
“Two days later the swelling had gone up to my elbow and I went to an emergency treatment centre where they suggested it was a spider bite.
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“They put me on antibiotics, and we travelled back to Dorset where it continued to get worse and worse, we went to A&E and I was shocked to hear how serious it was.
“The doctors and surgeons came down and said it was highly likely I could lose my finger, they said they were 90 per cent certain.”
Adam said he had been trying to brush the severity of the bite off, convincing himself he’d be alright.
He said it wasn’t until he heard he could lose his finger that he realised how serious it was.
“I had surgery first thing Wednesday morning and they cut it all open to try drain it and flush it all out,” he continued.
“For two days I stayed in hospital and had surgery again on Friday to make sure it was all alright.
“I was typically trying to brush it all off and it dawned on me how serious it was, I was relieved they saved my finger.
“My seven-year-old son has now got a huge fear of spiders, so we’ve been trying to explain it was extremely rare.”
Adam said he is now known as Spider-Man but disappointingly had not developed any superpowers.
“I’m a little tentative to go back but I’ll take basil and mint which is supposed to scare away spiders,” he said.
“Everyone at Poole Hospital was great, the doctors and the surgeons, so I’m very thankful to them.”
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According to website flasewidowspider.org.uk, false widows are the most venomous spiders in the UK.
If bitten by one, people should wash the area with soap and water and use a cold compress to minimise swelling.
They should also apply antiseptic cream and antihistamines can be used to counter any possible allergic reaction.
Monitor the condition of the person and if things get worse visit A&E for further treatment.
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