Man needed surgery after suspected spider bite in car led to 'crater' wound

A London man underwent surgery after a suspected spider bite in his car resulted in a severe infection and an open chest wound.

“

They told me it was an ingrown hair, but I knew it wasn't. I've had things like this before

Adrian Martel, a 49-year-old yoga instructor and circus performer, first noticed itching on his chest on April 7. The next day, a lump appeared, which he initially dismissed as a rash. However, his condition worsened over the following days.

Martel sought urgent medical attention but claims he was sent home by doctors who diagnosed it as an ingrown hair. "They told me it was an ingrown hair, but I knew it wasn't. I've had things like this before," he stated. Within days, the lump darkened and developed into an open wound.

“

First it just itched, and then the next day a lump appeared. I thought it was a rash

Upon returning for a follow-up, the situation had dramatically deteriorated. Martel described the lump as having become a "large crater-like wound" with pus. Doctors then referred him for surgery, during which a piece of infected tissue, the size of a 50-cent coin, was removed.

“

The next day it was even worse. It turned black and became an open wound. They told me to wait for the antibiotics to work

Martel believes the bite came from a spider, possibly a "false widow," encountered in his MINI convertible. He suspects he may have trapped the spider with the seatbelt, leading to the bite. While official confirmation is lacking, Martel is convinced of the spider bite's cause and has since changed his habits, meticulously cleaning his home and car of cobwebs.

“

I have a MINI convertible and sometimes I see spiders in the car. I think I crushed it with the seatbelt and it bit me then