Man's leg swells to watermelon size after bite from Britain's deadliest spider

A Blackpool man is now confined to a wheelchair after being bitten by Britain's most lethal spider. The noble false widow struck his leg, swelling the limb until it matched the dimensions of a watermelon.

Glenn Priestley, 73, remained in hospital for more than two weeks following an attack last month. The creature hid beneath a blanket on the floor of his mother's loft. It stands as the sole spider species capable of inflicting medically significant harm. Mr Priestley felt only a pinprick at first. He assumed it was harmless because he felt little immediately after the sting occurred.

Pain returned while walking the next day. When he reached home, suffering considerable agony, his leg had ballooned. He feared it would explode. Within 48 hours, the swelling hit watermelon size and the pain became unbearable.

He visited a local GP who ran blood tests that flagged signs of infection. Doctors at Blackpool Victoria Hospital then conducted an MRI scan, CT scan, and X-ray. Specialists ruled out other causes to conclude he had been bitten by a false widow. This determination came through a process of elimination as Mr Priestley described it.

Warnings from experts highlight that spider bites are becoming a public health issue in the UK. NHS data released earlier this year shows 100 hospital admissions linked to spider bites in 2025, up from just 47 in 2015. Scientists say a non-native species drives this rise. It has spread rapidly across the country, hiding in shoes, bundles of clothes, or seeking warmth in beds.

The false widow is as large as a £2 coin. Its venomous fangs inject neurotoxins into the bloodstream. This triggers steatodism, a short-lived condition marked by intense pain radiating from the bite site along with swelling, redness, fever, and nausea. Some suggest these bites can also cause anaphylactic shock similar to a bee sting or wasp sting. Not all scientists agree on this risk, yet the potential for severe allergic reaction remains.

Experts warn spider bites can trigger sepsis too. This life-threatening response to infection causes dangerous drops in blood pressure, tissue damage, and organ failure. Mr Priestley called the nine days following the bite the most painful thing he has ever experienced. He wanted to scream but had to hold back.

I couldn't put my foot down to the floor as if I lowered it all the blood rushed through the wound, and that was extremely painful." Those were Mr Priestley's words after suffering a nasty sting. He spent eighteen days under medical care before leaving the hospital on October 6th. Right now he relies on a Zimmer frame because his leg is still swollen and wrapped in bandages.

He used this moment to issue a stark warning to everyone during these autumn months when dangerous spiders are most active. The culprit is Steatoda nobilis, known as the noble false widow. This creature can deliver an injury that doctors consider medically significant. If you suspect a spider bite and see signs of infection, get to a doctor immediately. Do not wait.

Since these spiders slip through tiny gaps in walls or windows, there is little one can do to stop them from entering a home. The only real protection involves shaking out clothing, footwear, and bedsheets regularly before putting them on. Scientists are still arguing exactly how dangerous these arachnids are and just how often they bite people.

Data does show more hospital visits and reports of serious reactions lately. Yet the good news remains that spider bites in the UK are still relatively rare. No one has died from a false widow bite here, and experts insist these spiders do not attack humans unless provoked. Stay alert but do not panic.