Bitten by a bastard spider

[Utterlybananas333]

Hi guys, I was up at 2 a.m. last (my own damn fault,) I was sat on the floor reading and something suddenly crawled out from beneath me. It was a medium-sized black spider which I squashed dead but then I felt guilty. Not long after I got into bed and felt this horrid pain in my calf, there were two of the most microscopic dots at the site of the bite which grew into a red raised bump and the pain got steadily worse until my whole leg was numb.. definitely didn't regret killing it then!! I read online that you should wash the area and apply ice and keep it elevated, all of which I did. It was a struggle to get back to sleep and at one point I cried from the pain. Fast forward to this morning and it's still throbbing but the pain has died down a little. So my question, shall I ignore it until it gets better by itself or go to the docs? Also can anyone identify this little bastard? It's hard to tell as it's squashed in the picture, but it is a brownish black with a white marking on its back. Thanks

Definitely go to the doctors. It needs to be checked as soon as possible

Do you think it's a false widow? www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4579117-bitten-by-a-bastard-spider

Oops, meant to link this: www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/25/spider-false-widow-arachnid-poison-bite

Hard to tell if it’s a false widow from that picture. The NHS page says:

Bites from spiders in the UK are uncommon, but some native spiders – such as the false widow spider – are capable of giving a nasty bite.

Spider bites leave small puncture marks on the skin, which can be painful and cause redness and swelling.

Some spiders bites can cause you to feel or be sick, sweating and dizziness. Bites can also become infected or cause a severe allergic reaction in rare cases. Get medical help immediately if you have any severe or worrying symptoms after a spider bite.

If it's red draw a line around the red area and take a photo

If your leg swells up or the redness spreads go to A &E - take another photo before you go

You can get what's called cellulitis from bites and this needs to be treated asap as it spreads or gets worse and can even turn into sepsis

If you feel unwell in any way especially flu like symptoms you go straight to A&E and get antibiotics

Thanks everyone for your speedy and helpful replies, I think it's better to be safe than sorry. Unfortunately I'm too self conscious to attach a picture of my enormous hammy pale calf 😅

Shit it looked EXACTLY like the picture in the article!!! *Slowly transforms in to spider girl

I think you were cruel to that poor little spider. Its big brother will come looking for you :)

Well, if it is that spider then at least it sounds like you're over the worst of it! And as the article says, no-one has been known to die from a false widow spider bite so that's a big thumbs up! 😄

Can I just say that I think you're very brave as I'm terrified of spiders...I was always told I was silly for my fear but I think your experience has proven that my fears are not displaced. Well done for getting through a painful night and I hope you're on the mend!