A Brit has described his terrifying encounter with a Peruvian wolf spider that laid eggs in his toe during a romantic cruise holiday, he claims.
Colin Blake, from Cramlington, Northumberland, discovered pus oozing from his purple foot in a French hospital before a spider tried to eat it.
After his toe turned purple overnight, he became very frightened and rushed to the ship’s doctor, who told him that a Peruvian wolf spider had bitten him and laid eggs in his toe.
It happened while he and his wife were having dinner in Marseille.
Colin told BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime program that he was “completely unaware” of being bitten as the spider stunned its prey before laying its eggs.
Colin Blake, from Cramlington, Northumberland, was bitten while eating out with his wife in Marseille.
Colin’s toe in the hospital in France. He said medical staff cut open his toe with a scalpel and milky pus came out
He said: “My wife thought it might be because I had new sandals and they were rubbing my big toe and turning it red.”
The next day, his toe swelled and turned purple, requiring a visit to the ship’s doctor.
Medical staff cut open his toe with a scalpel and milky pus came out.
The pus looked like it had tea leaves in it, which turned out to be spider eggs.
Peruvian wolf spiders now live in France after arriving in the country on cargo ships.
Colin in hospital in France. He said: “My wife thought it was because I had new sandals and they rubbed my big toe and it turned red.”
Peruvian wolf spiders now live in France after arriving in the country on cargo ships (archive photo)
Back in the UK, Colin was treated in hospital and given a course of antibiotics to manage the swelling.
As the swelling subsided, the spider’s fangs could be seen, as well as the venom coursing through its foot.
Four weeks after the bite, he discovered a “foreign body” in his foot.
He said: “One of the spider eggs was not rinsed and must have hatched.”
“They think the spider snuck out and ate my toe.”
The antibiotics killed the young spider and doctors then removed it by cutting open its toe.
“I asked if I could keep it, but they said no!” said Colin, who was recovering.
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
