Dad’s Leg Amputated After Being Bitten By Common Spider

A 62-year-old Australian man underwent nine surgeries over the course of three weeks and had to have one of his legs amputated after he was bitten by a common spider late last month.

Stephen Craker, of Clontarf, noticed a sore spot on his left leg hours after undertaking a quote for a garden maintenance job at a residence in Queensland's Kippa-Ring suburb on Oct. 21, Australian newspaper The Courier-Mail reported.

The bump, which appeared near his ankle, looked like a blind pimple or ingrown hair, according to the outlet.

When the bump became increasingly painful over the next two days, Craker visited a doctor and was prescribed antibiotics. The infection, however, continued to worsen, and the father of three was taken to Redcliffe Hospital.

Doctors performed two operations over five days, but after developing necrosis, Craker was transferred to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Surgeons tried to remove infected tissue from his left leg in an attempt to stop the necrosis.

After going through a total of nine surgeries within three weeks to fight the infection, according to 7News.com.au, Craker was told that the only option left for him was for his left leg to be amputated below the knee.

"I’m not someone who breaks down a lot, but that one certainly drove a nail home," Craker said.

Tests carried out on Craker’s tissue later confirmed he had been bitten by a white-tail spider — a species commonly found in homes across Australia that has a whitish tip at the end of its abdomen.

White-tail spiders are non-venomous but can cause red marks, local swelling and itchiness with their bites. Blistering and ulceration can also occur in rare cases.

Toxicologist Geoff Isbister, however, disputed claims that the spider was to blame as severe cases from the arachnid's bites were rare.

"This is a myth that was propagated by the medical profession," Isbister, whose study showed that the white-tail spider's venom was not harmful, was quoted as saying by 7News.

Craker has been allowed to return home, but he is reportedly still experiencing pain and discomfort.

A GoFundMe page launched by Craker's daughter, Marisha Jones, has since raised $3,440 of its initial $5,000 goal. The funds will help cover the financial costs of his rehabilitation and medical expenses.

"It is killing me to watch my dear loved one go from being the happiest I've seen to having his entire world turned upside down. I just want to make him smile again," Jones wrote on the page.