UK Man Hospitalized After Bite From Venomous Spider

A Blackpool man was hospitalized for over two weeks after being bitten by a noble false widow spider, an incident that caused his leg to swell to the size of a watermelon and left him temporarily reliant on a wheelchair. The retired estate agent, Glenn Priestley, 73, encountered the spider last month while it was hidden beneath a blanket in his mother's loft.

Priestley initially described the bite as a 'pinprick' and felt little pain immediately afterward, assuming it was from a harmless spider. However, the following day, he experienced increasing pain while walking, which rapidly intensified. Within 48 hours, his leg had swollen dramatically and the pain became unbearable.

He sought medical attention, and after initial tests at his GP's office indicated signs of infection, he was referred to Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Specialists there conducted an MRI scan, CT scan, and X-ray, eventually concluding he had been bitten by a false widow spider.

This incident occurs amid growing concerns from experts about spider bites becoming a public health issue in the UK. NHS figures indicate a rise in hospital admissions related to spider bites, from 47 in 2015 to 100 in 2025. Scientists attribute this partly to the rapid spread of non-native species, such as the noble false widow, which can be found in homes, often hiding in shoes, clothes, or bedding.

The noble false widow, roughly the size of a £2 coin, possesses venom that injects neurotoxins into the bloodstream. This can lead to a condition known as steatodism, characterized by intense pain radiating from the bite site, swelling, redness, fever, and nausea. While debated among scientists, there is also a potential risk of anaphylactic shock, a severe allergic reaction, and some experts warn of the possibility of sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection.

Priestley described the nine days following the bite as the most painful experience of his life. He was discharged from the hospital on October 6th after 18 days of monitoring and is currently using a Zimmer frame due to persistent swelling in his leg and foot. He advised the public to seek medical attention promptly if they suspect a spider bite and show signs of infection.

Experts note that while it is difficult to completely prevent spiders from entering homes, precautions like routinely shaking out clothing, footwear, and bedding can help reduce the risk of bites. Although the danger posed by these spiders and their likelihood of biting humans is a subject of ongoing scientific debate, spider bites in the UK remain relatively uncommon, and no fatalities have been recorded from noble false widow bites.