He thought it was just a mosquito bite. A terrible mistake. It was the bite of a violin spider.
Bari – While gardening in July, the young man felt a bite on his right leg. Initially, the 23-year-old thought the swelling was just from a mosquito bite. Then his condition deteriorated dramatically. Now, the young Italian has died from the consequences of the bite from the venomous violin spider. The case has shocked Italy.
Italian (23) dies after spider bite while gardening – mistaken for mosquito bite
The welts grew larger, and the 23-year-old suffered severe pain, reports Rainews. An abscess formed on his leg, leading to tissue necrosis. Doctors fought for his life. The young man was eventually transferred to the polyclinic in Bari. There, he died in the intensive care unit from septic shock and multiple organ failure.
Just in July, a 52-year-old police officer from Palermo died after being bitten by a brown violin spider (July 13, 2024). The officer had also been bitten while gardening, apparently without realizing it.
Fatalities in Italy: Why a bite from the violin spider (Loxosceles rufescens) is so insidious
The bite of the violin spider is nearly painless, with symptoms emerging only several hours later. This is precisely what makes the bite of a violin spider so dangerous, as a study from the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) has found. Affected individuals may only experience “a slight stabbing” sensation – a deceptive sign of calm before the storm. In the following hours, the venom exerts its full effect and can trigger a host of symptoms, including irreversible skin and tissue damage (loxoscelism).
Brown violin spider is tiny and considered shy
The brown violin spider (Loxosceles rufescens) originally comes from North Africa and has now spread throughout the Mediterranean. The yellowish-brown spider is relatively small, with a body size of 9 millimeters and a leg length of four to five centimeters. Smaller than a two-euro coin.
It is a nocturnal species that hunts without the aid of a web. It often lies still for extended periods in walls and crevices, preferring dry soil and burrows, and is often found near homes, especially in gardens. It gets its name from a characteristic mark on its body that resembles a violin. Although it is not particularly aggressive, its venom is dangerous.
Deadly spider bite in Italy – after the second death, chief physician speaks out
Experts are observing an increasing spread of violin spiders in Europe. Reports of spider bites are on the rise in Italy, Spain, and Greece. Following the second fatal spider bite in Italy, fear is growing. A chief physician from Pisa shares his personal experience in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica: “The wound itches and hurts, but it is unlikely to be fatal. However, the flesh-eating bacteria is a rare streptococcus that causes subtle and severe infections.”
The chief physician recounts that the violin spider bit him on the forearm despite his shirt. At first, it seemed like a simple insect bite. The itching then intensified. A dark halo formed around the bite, indicating necrosis – the death of the skin tissue around the bite, according to the chief physician. He sought advice from a colleague.
Complications after spider bites – watch for these symptoms
A bite can disappear without complications after a short time. However, in some spider bites, severe pain can develop within 30 to 60 minutes, as reported by the MSD Manual. Tissue damage, known as loxoscelism, a systemic syndrome induced by spider venom, is usually only observed 24 to 72 hours after the bite and is relatively rare. Children and adolescents may be particularly affected. In the presence of severe symptoms such as fever, swelling, nausea, or skin changes, it is important to seek medical aid.
The Poison Information Center Erfurt recommends assessing the danger in case of spider bites and immediately contacting emergency services via emergency number 112 for noticeable severe symptoms. The Nosferatu spider is spreading in Germany: A bite can be dangerous – NABU provides tips. (ml)