A teenager in Sittingbourne, Kent, suffered a severe infection after being bitten by a false widow spider while searching for his missing cat. On July 3, 2023, Robert Saniola-Burlton, 16, and his mother, Virva Saniola, were scouring a local park for their pet, Rusty. Their search turned distressing when Robert discovered a painful swelling on his leg upon returning home.
Initially, Virva suspected a wasp or bee sting when Robert noticed a lump on his right knee. The swelling escalated, developing into painful blisters filled with fluid. As Robert’s condition worsened, he described his leg feeling “on fire.” Concerned, Virva sought medical attention, where a doctor confirmed that Robert had been bitten by a false widow spider, a species known for its venomous bite that can cause necrosis of the flesh.
Following multiple visits to a walk-in centre, Robert underwent treatment that included the removal of dead skin from the infected wound and a course of antibiotics. Fortunately, after two weeks of treatment, he made a full recovery, but he will carry a permanent scar as a reminder of his encounter with one of the UK’s most venomous spiders.
“I didn’t feel the bite, just when I got back I saw the lump,” Robert recounted. “I thought it was a bee sting or something. It started getting blisters, and I struggled to walk at one point.” His experience has heightened his awareness of spider bites, which he previously believed were rare in the UK.
Virva expressed her concern about the incident, stating, “This is dangerous; it could have turned into sepsis.” She emphasized the importance of vigilance when it comes to small spiders, urging others to be cautious during outdoor activities.
The Saniola family had been conducting nightly searches for Rusty, who had gone missing at the end of June. While rifling through bushes and branches in the park, they believe Robert was bitten when the spider crawled up his leg. “We went to the park with torches looking for him, we were in the bushes and branches,” Virva explained.
Robert’s ordeal underscores the potential dangers of encounters with false widow spiders, which have been increasingly reported in the UK. With heightened awareness, both Robert and Virva now take extra precautions, including using spider repellent sprays around their home.
Despite the psychological impact of the bite, Robert is focused on recovery and remains hopeful about finding their beloved cat. “I didn’t think spider bites were that common in the UK,” he said, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events during their search for Rusty.
