Missouri man hospitalised after spider bite triggers flesh-eating infection
Spider bite leads to rare necrotizing fasciitis; doctors perform life-saving surgery
A man found himself in hospital after a spider bite, but it wasn’t for the reason you might expect. Zachary Harakas was gardening in his Missouri backyard when a spider bit his right leg – an occurrence he says most people don’t worry about.
In the following days, worrying symptoms emerged. Harakas noticed swelling, and his leg began to turn green and rot. Rushed to hospital, doctors diagnosed him with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare condition where tissue dies due to infection with ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria. The Cleveland Clinic states that insect bites, along with scrapes, burns, and cuts, can cause this condition.
Dr Andrew Benedict, surgery program director at Saint Luke’s hospital, emphasised the urgency of such a diagnosis. Medical staff had to act quickly to save Harakas’ leg. To combat the infection, doctors removed sections of dead tissue from his leg. Harakas spent a week in hospital and underwent multiple surgeries to reconstruct his leg.
Man ends up in hospital with rotting foot after working in garden — KSHB
Zachary Harakas of Missouri was working in garden & suddenly felt a sting in his right leg. He saw a spider running away, but he immediately forgot about it pic.twitter.com/2xQdX20SLD
— Dr. Waqas 🩺 (@surgeonwaqas) August 14, 2024
Dr Benedict noted Harakas’ critical condition upon arrival. Initially, there was speculation about a brown recluse spider bite causing the reaction. However, in Harakas’ case, the bite led to tissue death beneath the skin, not on the surface. Although Harakas is recovering, doctors warned that a delay of even one day could have been fatal. Fortunately, he is expected to walk and lead a normal life without loss of motor function.
Harakas, shaken by the experience, expressed his surprise at the severity of a spider bite. He also voiced concerns about his cleaning business, which has no income while he is unable to work.
His family set up a GoFundMe campaign to support him during his recovery. They described the ordeal as ‘life-altering’ and mentioned the need for future plastic surgery to fully close the wound. The campaign has raised $3,000 of its $10,000 goal so far.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to Zachary Harakas?
He was bitten by a spider, leading to necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacteria infection.
How did Zachary’s condition progress after the spider bite?
His leg began to swell, turned green, and started rotting.
What treatment did Zachary receive at the hospital?
Medics removed chunks of dead tissue and performed multiple surgeries to rebuild his leg.
Will Zachary fully recover from the infection?
Yes, doctors say he should have no loss of motor function and can live a normal life.
How is Zachary managing financially during his recovery?
His family set up a GoFundMe to support him while he’s unable to work.
