Wolf spider lays eggs in man's toe during cruise

Wolf spiders have made their way from their native Peru to the south of France

A cruise took a turn for the worse when a spider laid eggs in a man’s toe.

Colin Blake was celebrating his 35th wedding anniversary in France when his toe turned purple overnight.

After becoming concerned Mr Blake visited the ship’s doctor and found that a Peruvian wolf spider had bitten him and laid eggs in his toe.

After being given antibiotics to combat the toxins a “foreign body” was found in his toe which was cut out, but he is set to make a full recovery.

Warning: this article contains an image some might find upsetting

Mr Blake, from Cramlington, Northumberland, was bitten by the spider while he and his wife were having a meal outdoors in Marseille, France.

The Peruvian wolf spiders live in France after arriving in the area on cargo ships.

Mr Blake was “totally unaware” he had been bitten as the spider numbs its prey before laying its eggs.

He said: “My wife thought it may be because I had new sandals and they were rubbing on my big toe and that was causing it to be red.”

Colin Blake’s toe turned red and swollen after he was bitten by a Peruvian wolf spider

The next day his toe had become swollen and turned purple, prompting a trip to the ship’s doctor.

The medical staff cut his toe open with a scalpel and a milk-like pus came out.

The pus looked like it contained tea leaves, which turned out to be spider eggs.

Colin Blake was given antibiotics in hospital

Back in the UK, Mr Blake was treated at hospital and was given a course of antibiotics to reduce the swelling.

Once the swelling subsided, the spider’s fang marks could be seen as well as the toxin making his way through his foot.

Hatched spider

Four weeks after the bite, Mr Blake discovered a “foreign body” in his foot.

Mr Blake said: “One of the spider eggs hadn’t been flushed and must have hatched.

“They believe the spider was making its way out – eating its way out of my toe.”

The antibiotics had killed the young spider and doctors then removed it by cutting open Mr Blakes toe.

“I did ask if I could keep it but they said no.”

Mr Blake is set to make a full recovery.

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