Eina! Jumping spider makes its mark
Arboretum woman recovers from spider bite.
THEY have always been around, but there is an apparent invasion of black jumping spiders in Zululand.
And one Arboretum woman has painful proof that they are not to be taken lightly.
Having been bitten between her fingers by one resident eight-legged invader on Thursday, a visit to the local pharmacy was needed the following day as the bite swelled and became sore.
The ‘muti’ had little effect and by Saturday it was looking decidedly worse.
This time a trip to the doctor was needed and a course of antibiotics was prescribed, along with a strict lecture on the need to take the bite of a jumper spider seriously.
While a Google search describes the jumping spider as ‘harmless’, perhaps they should have said ‘armless’, as horror stories abound of the flesh-eating legacies left by these tiny tyrants.
Fond of hiding in clothing, beds or lounge furniture, the sharp bite is felt immediately but the real damage is only evident later – and multiple bites often occur.
‘Don’t delay in seeking medical attention,’ was the good doctor’s advice.
‘While not lethal, it could do serious tissue damage.’
It’s hard to catch the little blighters, who always seem ‘one jump ahead’, but if possible, return them to the outdoors where they belong.
And do remember to shake out those clothes before getting dressed.
