Bunbury man had Bali spider in his stomach for three days
A Bunbury man has recounted a horrifying Bali holiday ordeal in which doctors removed a tiny spider that had lived in his stomach for three days.
Dylan Thomas is now jokingly referring to himself as Spiderman, but it was no laughing matter when doctors on the holiday island said he had contracted a condition which left a disturbing red mark the length of his stomach.
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Mr Thomas told the South Western Times that the ordeal started when he woke to find a red trail heading up from his navel and went to Bali International Medical Centre early Sunday morning when he discovered it growing.
He was sent home with antihistamine and told it was just an insect bite.
“I woke up the next day and it had blistered all the way from the bottom,” Mr Thomas said.
“That’s when I got concerned and went back to the hospital.
“They didn’t know what it was, referred me to a specialist who came in on the Monday and they were able to determine what it was from a swab.”
Doctors eventually determined a tiny tropical spider had burrowed into Mr Thomas' stomach.
It was thought to be living in him for about three days.
'Spiderman' Dylan Thomas shows off his scar after returning home to Bunbury. Picture: Mitchell Woodcock.
Mr Thomas, who detailed his ordeal on Facebook, said he "had never felt so violated in my life before. Just glad it's all over."
He said doctors put a small incision in his stomach and pulled out the spider with tweezers.
Dylan Thomas after the spider was removed. Picture: Facebook
Mr Thomas said on Facebook: "Well after a very interesting holiday to say the least it's finally time to get my own country, still hoping I'm going to develop superpowers by the time I'm home."
He told 6PR today that "it wasn't really a tickling sensation, obviously once the venom started to affect my skin it was a really burning sensation like a searing feeling."
Mr Thomas has embraced his new Spiderman nickname.
“My mates are never going to let me live it down,” he said.
“It is a bit of a memento from my trip to Bali. One I will never forget.”
