A teenager in Sittingbourne, Kent, experienced a serious health scare after being bitten by a false widow spider while searching for his family’s missing cat. On July 3, 2023, Robert Saniola-Burlton, 16, and his mother, Virva Saniola, were combing through bushes in a local park in hopes of locating their two-year-old cat, Rusty, who had disappeared at the end of June.
Upon returning home from their search, Robert noticed a large lump forming on his right knee. Initially, Virva suspected it was a simple insect sting, possibly from a wasp or bee. However, the situation quickly escalated as the lump developed painful blisters that ultimately burst, oozing a mixture of blood and pus.
As Robert’s condition worsened, he struggled to walk, describing his leg as feeling “on fire.” Concerned for her son’s health, Virva took him to a nearby walk-in centre, where medical staff confirmed he had been bitten by a false widow spider. This species is known for producing bites that can lead to necrosis of the flesh.
Medical professionals treated Robert over several visits, with one doctor removing a layer of dead skin from the infected wound. He was prescribed a course of antibiotics to combat the infection. After a challenging two weeks, Robert made a full recovery, but he will carry a permanent scar as a reminder of the incident.
Robert recounted his experience, stating, “I didn’t feel the bite at the time; I just noticed the lump when I got back. I thought it would go down, but then it started getting blisters.” He expressed his surprise at the severity of the bite, noting, “I didn’t think spider bites were that common in the UK. It’s definitely made me a lot more aware of spiders.”
Virva described the family’s efforts to locate Rusty during the evenings, using torches to search the park and surrounding areas. She explained, “We were looking for our missing cat Rusty outside. We were in the bushes and branches, and we think the spider crawled up his leg and bit him on the knee.”
Despite the trauma of the experience, the Saniola family has continued their search for Rusty, although they have yet to locate their beloved pet. Virva has since taken precautions by obtaining spider repellent sprays for their home, expressing her heightened fear of spiders following the incident. She urged others to remain vigilant, stating, “Even if it’s a small spider, it could be a false widow spider.”
The false widow spider, while native to the Canary Islands, has increasingly been found in the UK over the past few decades. Although bites can be painful and lead to serious infections, fatalities are extremely rare. Nonetheless, the Saniola-Burlton family’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by this species.
As the search for Rusty continues, the Saniola family remains hopeful for his safe return while advocating for awareness about the risks associated with wildlife encounters.
