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THE SPIDER FROM SCARS
Couple rushed to hospital after spider stowed away in suitcase from Med holiday hotspot bites them
Helen was bitten first — on her ankle in October — but did not know what had attacked her
A COUPLE had to get hospital treatment after being bitten by a spider which stowed away in their suitcase.
Helen Taylor and hubby Andrew, both 49, were attacked at home after a holiday in Turkey.
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They believe the venomous arachnid — thought to be a brown recluse spider — had been lurking since August in their utility room, which they also use as an office.
Helen was bitten first — on her ankle in October — but did not know what had attacked her.
Her joint swelled and she was put on antibiotics by A&E medics.
She said: “I couldn’t put any pressure on my foot for two days.”
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Two weeks later, Andrew’s leg was also bitten in the same room, but with a much more serious reaction.
Helen said: “Andrew had a fever, a really high temperature and was delirious. We were really worried.
“He went to A&E. He’s seen the doctor three times and has been prescribed antibiotics, but there isn’t any sign it is healing.
“He’s got a huge open wound on his ankle with puss coming out continuously.”
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The couple, from Rustington, West Sussex, run a food delivery service, but Andrew has been bedridden.
They have been spraying their home with pest killer every day and found a dead spider, which they have identified themselves.
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Brown recluse spiders hide in dark places and rarely attack humans.
They have “necrotic venom”, which kills tissue, leaving wounds which can become gangrenous.
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