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About a month ago I noticed a small pimple with a blister, 2 days later it blew out and I ended up with a crater with a red ring round it. 2 days later I ended up in hospital extremely sick with the rigors and a 40.2 degree temp. My right leg from ankle to knee was a cerise colour and then 48 hrs later I had massive blisters all over my leg. I was in hospital for 6 days and the 6 doctors I had were 95% sure I had been bitten by a white tail spider. i now have cellulitis and the blisters are now all dead scarred chunks which have started to peel but have huge crevices in them (3) and it looks as though I am going to be left with a few craters in my leg from ankle upwards. The doctors were worried about it becoming gangrenous but even though it is extremely painful it has started to heal, it does look unsightly and I guess I will have a few scars. The huge scabs are starting to come away and there is new skin underneath. So I am hopeful not too much damage was done. I will send you some pics of my leg when I get the fils processed. I met a lady in Victor Harbor and she told me all about this website and you. She runs the spud van there and unfortunately for me we had been thru your town the day before. Regards Lorraine Hazelman

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Hi helen as you can see i am from the UK and i have been alflicted by dark redddish/ purpleish discolouration accompanied with some small ulcers (which don't heel properly) on first my right leg then approx 12/15 months later on the left, both below the knee. My Dr and the hospital both say it is cellulitus but it suddenly came on and i felt if i had been bitten by somthing! since then my BP has been very high (215/180average)! i am 43 concerned Barrie in UK.

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Hi Helen. I was bitten in October 2000, in bed one night - on both thighs. I have had four major debridements, the left thigh, they took so much dead tissue that the district nurse could place two clenched fists in the cavity. The right wound was smaller bet deep - 2 metres of ribbon gauze was packed into the cavity for weeks. Four years later (now July) I have just had another outbreak. I am on a constant regime of antibiotics and natural therapy. I wonder if there is every going to be any 'closure' ! The spider was identified as a white tail, as I took the culprit with me to casualty. The nurse on duty said not to worry about it and I was sent home. I treated it with ice, until I could see my doctor, who fortunately referred me to a surgeon resulting in four operations. Victims, speak out, you're not alone. Please let me know Helen, if any developments happen in this horrible injury. My scars on my legs are horrific and I'm terrified that the same copuld happen to my young teenage daughter. Note: we do regularly have the house sprayed. My very best wishes to all victims - keep your chins up! :)

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Hi Helen My Husband was bitten by a white tail spider 10 years ago. He now has recurring appearances of ulcers on the sight of the original bite and somtimes on the opposite limb. recently we went to see a doctor to enquire about the long term effects and the doctor tried to tell us it is herpes! the herpes test of course came back negative!! Could of saved the dr the trouble. Seeing your story last night on medical incredibles has helped us as we now no there are people who understand. hankyou for sharing your story Helen!

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Saw this site on Medical Incredibles last night, I was bitten on my lip about 5 years ago the first time it really ulcered up but now it looks a bit like a cold sore when it flares up I find if I dont touch it with anything it goes away and is much smaller than when I try putting anything on it or itching it! I havent had it reoccuring on the opposite side of my lip as suggested on the show so maybe thats just a limb thing

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I have a friend who is a Naturopath one of his workers got into her car and was bitten the bite went like the one I saw on TV last night. He told her to put grated potato on the bite wrap it up and keep doing this until all the poison was gone. I have told many people this since. Another lady pulled her track pants off the line one night and ouch a spider bite her. It would not go away for weeks until I told her what to do it was gone in 2 weeks. It works for most bites. It works on dogs too. A lady I know dog was bitten and it went horrible too. Why is this information not available to all? Surely something this simple should be known to all. Sue

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Hi i brought many thousands of tons of dry dead Jarrah logs .As i did wood for peoples fires, as a result perhaps even a warning.My home is crawling with White tails .Every night i kill at least 3.And summer the walls are alive with them .Any sugestions? a member of my family has been bitten.