“I felt something crawling on me”: 16-year-old fights for his life after spider bite

Noah (16) was an athletic baseball player who spent three hours a day lifting weights. In June, the Iowa teenager was bitten by a spider while working at a fence-building company during the summer. He "felt something crawling on me," Noah recounted, according to the Independent .

The bite was painful and quickly swelled, according to Noah's mother. The 16-year-old's condition continued to deteriorate. He was bedridden for weeks and eventually his kidneys failed. The spider bite caused a severe infection, requiring surgery and dialysis (a blood purification procedure).

Noah spent two weeks in the pediatric intensive care unit, losing 35 pounds (about 16 kilograms). At times, he was unable to speak.

Noah is now recovering at home after his kidneys began functioning again. A group of his friends' mothers launched a GoFundMe page, which has raised over $21,000 (€18,000) so far.

It's unclear which spider bit Noah. According to the Independent, black widows and brown recluse spiders, which are found in the United States and can pose a risk to outdoor workers, are particularly dangerous.

The following morning, he visited a pharmacy, which immediately referred him to the hospital. Doctors discovered that parts of his fingers were necrotic and would have to be amputated. Based on his experience, Tom advises increased caution and recommends seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms are unclear.

• Australian funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) : This spider is known for its potent neurotoxin and is found primarily in the Sydney, Australia, area. Its bite can be very dangerous to humans, and an antivenom is available that is very effective when applied promptly.
• Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria spp.) : These spiders are known for their aggressive nature and potent venom, which can have neurotoxic effects. Their bite can cause pain, respiratory problems, and, in rare cases, death.
• Black widow (Latrodectus mactans) : This spider is famous for the bright red markings on its black body. Its bite contains a venom that can cause muscle spasms and severe pain. Fatality is rare, but the symptoms can be very unpleasant.
• Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa): This spider is known for its necrotic venom, which can cause tissue destruction. The bite can lead to a severe skin reaction and, in extreme cases, require surgical treatment.

Although there are several species of spiders in Germany, most of them are harmless to humans. The only native spiders that can occasionally cause a painful bite are:

• Water spider (Argyroneta aquatica): Its bite can be comparable to a bee sting, but is rare and usually harmless.
• Garden spider (Araneus diadematus). Its bite is generally not dangerous, but may cause mild pain or minor swelling.
• Nosferatu spider (Zoropsis spinimana): There have been reports of this spider, which is native to the Mediterranean region. Its bite can be painful, but it is also not dangerous to most people.

In general, spiders are not a cause for concern in Germany, and the likelihood of a serious incident involving a spider is extremely low.