Swedish golfer tees out spider venom
A Swedish golfer who was bitten by one of Australia's deadliest spiders used a golf tee to help her extract the venom and finish the course during a qualifying tournament in Canberra.
The Swedish Golf Federation reported on their website how 24-year-old Daniela Holmqvist saw a redback spider on her leg and then felt a sharp pain above her left ankle.
Seeing her leg swell up, Holmqvist did not seek medical attention but instead grabbed a golf tee from her bag, pierced her skin and squeezed out as much venom as possible.
"A clear fluid came out," she said. "It wasn't the prettiest thing I've ever done but I had to get as much of it out of me as possible."
After the incident took place at the fourth hole, an unfazed Holmqvist went on to finish her round with medics monitoring her progress.
She finished the qualifying event for the ISPS Handa Australian Open in Canberra with a round of 74, just two shots shy of qualification.
The redback - which is related to the black widow spider has a red stripe on the back of its black abdomen - is Australia's most dangerous spider.
According to the University of Melbourne, 250 people are treated for bites each year but no deaths have been reported since the discovery of an antidote in 1955.
AFP/The Local/og
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The Swedish Golf Federation reported on their website how 24-year-old Daniela Holmqvist saw a redback spider on her leg and then felt a sharp pain above her left ankle.
Seeing her leg swell up, Holmqvist did not seek medical attention but instead grabbed a golf tee from her bag, pierced her skin and squeezed out as much venom as possible.
"A clear fluid came out," she said. "It wasn't the prettiest thing I've ever done but I had to get as much of it out of me as possible."
After the incident took place at the fourth hole, an unfazed Holmqvist went on to finish her round with medics monitoring her progress.
She finished the qualifying event for the ISPS Handa Australian Open in Canberra with a round of 74, just two shots shy of qualification.
The redback - which is related to the black widow spider has a red stripe on the back of its black abdomen - is Australia's most dangerous spider.
According to the University of Melbourne, 250 people are treated for bites each year but no deaths have been reported since the discovery of an antidote in 1955.
AFP/The Local/og
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