Bite fright for spider owner (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bite fright for spider owner

6:00pm Wednesday 4th February 2009 in

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A SPIDER fan says she will think twice about picking one up again after a bite left her in hospital.

Mandy Matzen, 46, of Wareham, was bitten by a false widow spider – or steatoda grossa – which are similar in appearance to the poisonous black widow and are native to Britain.

Mandy, who owns a more exotic tarantula, is warning people to be careful after she spent several hours in hospital.

She said: “I was going up the stairs in my daughter’s house. I picked this spider up to put it outside and it bit me. It was worse than a bee sting and I was feeling very unwell.”

Mandy went to Poole Hospital’s accident and emergency department, where she was given painkillers and advised to keep her wounded hand elevated for 48 hours.

She added: “It was pretty scary. I will not be picking them up again now.

“It’s just like a black widow spider without the red bit on it. I’m just glad it wasn’t one of my grandchildren that got bitten by it.”

She said she was lucky that she did not suffer a severe allergic reaction – other cases have seen victims end up in intensive care.

Mandy added: “My warning would be to not hold any spider in your hands, don’t take any risks.”

Andy Fraser, charge nurse at Poole Hospital’s emergency department, said bites were very rare and there were no lethal spiders native to Britain.

He said anyone bitten should first visit a pharmacist, who will likely give antihistamines.

Mr Fraser added: “If you’re getting more unwell, come to the hospital.

“If you think you’ve been bitten by a more exotic spider, it may well be worth coming down to us sooner.”