A FORMER Emmerdale actor faces losing his foot after being bitten by a poisonous spider on a Las Vegas boys’ trip.
Matthew Phillips was nipped by a tiny brown recluse spider at some point between his stay at the Hotel Wynn and his return flight to Manchester last month.
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The 44-year-old, who has type 2 diabetes, initially ignored the “tiny red dot” as nerve damage from a pre-existing condition means he can’t feel any pain.
But within days his foot had turned “black and swollen” as the venom had taken root and rotted away a large chunk of flesh.
By the time he saw doctors at Salford Royal Hospital, the nerve damage was so severe that medics didn’t need to use anaesthetic to remove the dead flesh, leaving him with a gaping hole the size of a golf ball.
Matthew, from Whitefield, Greater Manchester, was told he had been bitten by a brown recluse spider, which is native to some US states.
Its deadly venom is worse than a rattlesnake and has been linked to some fatalities – all of them children.
Gruesome
The dad-of-two explained his diabetes left him unable to feel any pain, so he didn’t take action until it was too late.
Matthew told the Manchester Evening News: “I could have stood on a nail and I wouldn’t know about it.
“They cut away all the dead flesh and dead tissue and it was revolting.
“It was the most gruesome thing I have ever seen.”
Now fresh out of surgery after returning from Vegas on June 16, Matthew says every day is a battle, as he is forced to dress his gaping hole in order to stave away any infection.
They cut away all the dead flesh and dead tissue and it was revolting
Matthew Phillips
If his wound isn’t cleaned thoroughly and an infection sets in, he could lose his entire foot.
He said: “I have to really keep on top of it.”
There is still some poison in his system which is affecting his balance and makes it hard to walk, he said.
Matthew, who is married to Joanne, admitted his daughter Ella, 13, and son Leo, admitted the situation was partly his own fault as he hadn’t taken his diabetes seriously.
Warning
He decided to go public with his horrific story to warn other type 2 diabetes sufferers to look after their health.
Matthew said he didn’t take his health seriously after his diagnosis, at the age of 19, and refused to take medication because he thought he was “invincible”.
“I should have looked after my diet and taken my medication properly. I should have listened,” he said.
Urging other people with diabetes to listen to their doctors and take the disease seriously, he warned: “Don’t be an idiot. Listen to what the doctors are telling you.
“They are not telling you lies, it’s all true. They are not doing it to scare you. They are telling you the truth, so listen.”
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What to do if you get bitten by a spider
Bites from spiders in the UK are uncommon, but some native spiders – such as the false widow spider – are capable of giving a nasty bite.
Spider bites leave small puncture marks on the skin, which can be painful and cause redness and swelling.
Some spiders bites can cause you to feel or be sick, sweating and dizziness. Bites can also become infected or cause a severe allergic reaction in rare cases.
According to the NHS, to treat a bite you must:
- Remove the sting, tick or hairs if still in the skin.
- Wash the affected area with soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress or an ice pack to any swelling for at least 10 minutes.
- Raise or elevate the affected area if possible.
- Avoid scratching the area or bursting any blisters, to reduce the risk of infection
- Avoid traditional home remedies, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, as they’re unlikely to help.
If spider bites become infected or cause severe allergic reaction you must seek medical help immediately.
Get medical help immediately if you have any severe or worrying symptoms after a spider bite.
Matthew, who says he had roles in Emmerdale and other TV shows, said he was now “scared to go out” and had become reclusive.
But he’s determined not to wallow in self-pity, and added: “What am I supposed to do? Do I sit in the corner all day and cry about it or do I make the most out of it?
“I’ve got to think this has happened. Do I give up or do I just carry on? I’m not one to give up. I just carry on.”
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Research has shown that 26,378 people in the UK had lower limb amputations linked to diabetes between 2014 and 2017.
Dan Howarth, head of care at the charity Diabetes UK, said: “Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to devastating complications, with feet being no exception.
“A staggering 169 diabetes-related amputations take place each week in the UK, which is a heartbreaking number, especially given that the majority of these could be avoided if signs of foot damage are caught on time.
“That’s why it’s really important for people living with diabetes to know how to look after their feet, and to check them daily.
“If they notice any changes or problems with their feet it is vital that they seek urgent medical attention; a matter of hours can make the difference between losing and keeping a limb.”
The hotel and airline and refused to comment.
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