A 73-year-old man from Blackpool spent 18 days in hospital after being bitten by a false widow spider, with his leg swelling to the size of a "watermelon."
Glenn Priestley, a retired estate agent, was bitten on September 16 while renovating a house belonging to his late mother, 96-year-old Betty. He felt a pinprick on the back of his left leg but thought nothing of it until the next day, when his leg swelled to 38 cm (15 inches).
Hospital Treatment and Diagnosis
After visiting his GP, Priestley was sent to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where he was seen by doctors at the Medical Assessment Unit. Staff conducted an MRI scan, CT scan, a Doppler scan, and an X-ray to find out what was wrong. After a "process of elimination," doctors informed him they believe he was bitten by a false widow spider.
Priestley said: "It was incredibly frightening when I was told the news from the doctors. A large portion of my leg blistered, bruised, and scabbed. It was not a pretty sight. I guess it is neat to say I have been bitten by a false widow, but I wouldn't make a habit of it."
Pain and Recovery
The venom attacked Priestley's leg, leaving him wheelchair-bound for almost a month. He described the pain as "unbearable at times," rating it "a nine out of ten." He said: "The most painful thing I've ever experienced. I wanted to scream but I had to hold back. For the first nine days, I couldn't put my foot down to the floor as if I lowered it all the blood rushing through the wound was extremely painful."
Priestley, who now uses a Zimmer frame to walk, was discharged on October 6. His foot and leg remain swollen and bandaged. He hopes to be fit enough to perform in the festive play 'Sleighed to Death' with the St Bernadette's Parish Players in November.
Spider Bite Advice
Priestley advised: "If you think you have been bitten by a spider and are showing signs of infection, get yourself to the doctors as soon as possible."
The false widow is believed to have arrived in Britain in crates of fruit from the Canary Islands in the late 19th century. No one has died from a false widow bite in the UK, and experts say they are not aggressive towards humans.
