A man from the United Kingdom had a horrifying experience during his cruise vacation when he discovered that a spider had laid eggs inside his toe. Colin Blake and his wife were celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary in Marseille, France when he noticed his toe had become swollen and purple. Concerned, Mr. Blake visited the ship’s doctor who determined that he had been bitten by a Peruvian wolf spider, and the spider had laid eggs inside his toe.
Thankfully, Mr. Blake is expected to make a full recovery after having the “foreign body” removed from his toe and receiving medication to fight the toxins. The wolf spiders are believed to have arrived in France on cargo ships. Mr. Blake was bitten by the spider while enjoying a meal with his wife, but he was completely unaware of the incident as the spider numbs its prey before laying eggs. Initially, they thought the redness and swelling were due to his new sandals rubbing on his big toe.
Upon visiting the ship’s doctor, Mr. Blake’s toe was cut open with a scalpel, and a milky pus came out, containing spider eggs that resembled tea leaves. He received hospital treatment upon returning to the UK and was prescribed antibiotics to reduce the swelling. As the poison subsided, the marks left by the spider’s fangs became visible on his foot.
However, four weeks later, Mr. Blake noticed something unusual in his toe. Doctors discovered that one of the spider eggs had hatched, and a small spider was trapped under his skin, trying to make its way out. After the spider was killed by antibiotics, the doctor removed it by cutting open Mr. Blake’s toe. Unfortunately, Mr. Blake’s request to keep the spider was denied by the doctors.
This shocking incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers one may encounter even during seemingly harmless vacations. Mr. Blake’s experience highlights the importance of seeking medical attention promptly and taking necessary precautions while exploring unfamiliar places.
