A simple act — plucking an ingrown hair — nearly cost 36-year-old Steven Spinale his life.

In 2022, Steven became critically ill after removing an ingrown hair, which led to a rare bacterial infection. The infection spread rapidly, triggering sepsis and shutting down his organs. He was eventually placed in a coma and given just a 4% chance of survival.

For weeks, doctors struggled to identify what was wrong. His sister Michelle shared that he was turned away from several hospitals despite vomiting blood. By the time they realized what was happening, Steven had developed influenza A, double pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

He spent three weeks in a coma, with his family praying he would pull through. His wife remained at his side, and with both unable to work, the family set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical costs, as Steven had no insurance.

Despite the odds, Steven is now showing signs of recovery. His family says he has a “new sparkle in his eyes” and is being called “a miracle” for defying the grim prognosis.

His story is a sobering reminder of how something as small as an ingrown hair can lead to life-threatening complications — and how powerful faith, family, and resilience can be in the face of it all.