In an unexpected turn of events during a celebratory cruise, a man found himself at the center of a harrowing encounter with a wolf spider. Colin Blake, on a voyage commemorating his 35th wedding anniversary in Marseille, France, discovered that a Peruvian wolf spider had not only bitten him but had also laid eggs in his toe.
Colin Blake and his wife, residents of Cramlington, Northumberland, were enjoying an evening meal in Marseille when the spider incident occurred. Unbeknownst to Mr. Blake, the spider’s numbing bite left him unaware of the impending danger as it prepared to lay its eggs. His toe turned red and swollen the next day, prompting a visit to the ship’s doctor.
The ship’s medical staff, wielding a scalpel, made a shocking discovery as they cut open Mr. Blake’s toe—a milk-like pus, resembling tea leaves, oozed out, revealing spider eggs. The Peruvian wolf spiders, believed to have arrived in the region on cargo ships, had made their presence known in a most unsettling manner.
Upon returning to the UK, Mr. Blake underwent hospital treatment, receiving a course of antibiotics to combat the toxins and reduce swelling. As the swelling subsided, the spider’s fang marks and the progression of toxins through his foot became visible.
A month later, another startling revelation unfolded. Mr. Blake detected a “foreign body” in his foot, signaling that one of the spider eggs had hatched. In a bizarre turn of events, doctors believed the spider was attempting to make its way out, effectively “eating its way out” of Mr. Blake’s toe. Fortunately, the antibiotics had neutralized the young spider, allowing doctors to safely remove it by cutting open his toe.
Despite Mr. Blake’s curiosity about keeping the spider as a peculiar memento, the request was denied by the medical team.
This alarming incident sheds light on the presence of Peruvian wolf spiders in Marseille, emphasizing the need for awareness and caution in regions where these spiders may have established themselves through unconventional means, such as cargo ships.
The incident serves as a reminder that even during moments of celebration, nature’s unexpected surprises can take center stage. Mr. Blake, now on the path to a full recovery, has a tale to tell—one that adds a unique twist to the memories of his 35th wedding anniversary cruise.
