Jon Gosselin hospitalized after being bitten by deadly spider
JON Gosselin was hospitalized after being bitten by a deadly Brown Recluse spider, The Sun can reveal.
Jon, 44, was bitten as he slept in his bed at home in Reading, Pennsylvania and woke up in "excruciating pain."
The Jon & Kate Plus 8 alum's leg swelled up to twice the size and he rushed to get medical help.
The Brown Recluse is a venomous spider that can cause significant or even life-threatening damage if not tended to quickly.
Newly single Jon, 44, told Sun Online exclusively: "I was DJ-ing for the weekend in Philadelphia and I finally felt free.
"It was my first real single weekend. I was totally ready to open up and meet new people and start fresh.
"But I woke after a night of music and fun and went to stand up only to fall back down on the bed. I was in excruciating pain.
"My first thought was 'What now?' I have had a rough year, my breakup was hard, then I got Covid which was bad.
"It was really weird because when I looked at my leg I realized it was twice the size and there's a red-looking blister with a large red circle around it.
"It kind of looked like a cigarette burn, but really raised."
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Jon knew he had to see a doctor and managed to limp to his car and take himself to a nearby hospital.
"The doc immediately knew the pain was from a Brown Recluse, which is a deadly spider," he said
"My entire leg had swollen up from the cellulitis.
"The doctor told me that I was lucky to come in because if you don't treat this you can lose limbs or die from a bacterial infection.
"It's crazy because one moment I was DJ-ing and having the best weekend and next thing you know my life was in danger again."
EXTERMINATE
Jon said he has had to call in an exterminator to make sure the spider was gone from his home after daughter Hannah freaked out.
He added: "I just wish I knew where the spider was so I can take my revenge.
"I went through days of severe pain and now the antibiotic is so strong it's made me ill. I'm losing pounds again."
Luckily Jon is now on the mend after a course of antibiotics and applying topical cream to the bite.
"It's finally healing after a week and the swelling has improved and the pain is just where the bite is rather than my entire leg," he said.
Dad of eight Jon, who famously split with wife Kate after the family became reality TV stars, added: "I've never been bit by a spider in my whole life, unless you count Kate.
"But all jokes aside, let's face it, it hasn't been my year."
DEADLY
Brown Recluse spiders are commonly found in central and southern parts of the US.
When the spider bites a person, the venom destroys cell membranes, leading to a breakdown of skin, fat, and blood vessels in the localized area.
It can lead to limb loss and even death if not treated rapidly.
The side effects include severe pain, ulcers, fever, chills, nausea, joint pain, or even seizures.
Jon has had a tough 2021.
In January the reality star was hospitalized with a brutal case of COVID-19.
Jon was "deathly ill" with a fever as high as 104.8 degrees and was close to being put on a ventilator.
Then in August he split from long time girlfriend Colleen Conrad, 51, amid her battle against cancer.
The star said he was “incredibly sad” the seven-year bond had come to an end, but he was ready to “start a new chapter” in his life.
The IT worker is now back DJ-ing and has been co-producing with The International DJ Casper.
Their album Eight is due to be released in the next few weeks.
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Jon is currently on a road trip with daughter Hannah in California.
A photo posted on Instagram showed the proud dad and Hannah smiling for the camera while in the car.
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