**Manchester Woman Suffers Severe Wound After Suspected Spider Bite in Pub**
A Manchester woman has spoken out about her harrowing ordeal after she was left with a severe, deep wound on her leg following what is believed to be a spider bite in a local pub. The shocking injury, which left medical professionals visibly surprised, has raised fresh concerns over venomous spiders increasingly being seen across the UK.
Paige Oldfield, 30, recalls that her trouble began innocuously enough with an evening out with a friend. Days later, she was overcome with intense itching, and soon noticed a raised, crater-like mark on her right calf. Initially dismissing it as a mosquito bite, Paige sent a photo of the wound to her grandmother, herself a nurse, with little inkling of how serious the situation would become.
Her symptoms rapidly worsened. Paige was soon struggling to walk, the wound grew larger, and a weeping hole began to develop in the centre of the bite. “It was so deep at one point I could fit my finger inside,” Paige recounted. The pain, described as excruciating and unrelenting, eventually made even simple tasks such as wearing trousers or sleeping an ordeal.
Despite urgent advice from relatives, Paige delayed seeking medical treatment, expecting the wound would improve by itself with careful cleaning. However, a week on, the situation had deteriorated; the sore had grown, and she began to experience sharp shooting pains down her leg. It was only while attending a previously scheduled smear test that Paige decided to show the nurse her leg—and the nurse’s reaction was one of shock.
“The nurse practically gasped and insisted I see a doctor immediately,” Paige said. A swab confirmed that the bite had become severely infected. She was immediately prescribed antibiotics; though the medication provided initial relief, the wound would not heal properly, reopening after the scab detached, and the cycle of pain resumed.
Paige’s experience echoes growing reports of venomous spider bites in the UK, notably from the false widow species. Sometimes mistaken for the notorious black widow, this spider is now regarded as Britain’s most venomous and its range has been increasing amid warming climates. False widows favour sheltered areas, such as sheds and attics, particularly in southern England, though sightings are now being reported further north.
While both the false black widow and the much rarer brown recluse spiders are believed to cause painful bites, experts note that brown recluses are not native to the UK. Nevertheless, both species can cause significant skin reactions, with ulceration and even necrosis in rare cases. Paige believes either a false widow or a brown recluse may have been responsible, though she never received a formal diagnosis.
After the first course of antibiotics failed, Paige’s GP prescribed a longer regime and an acidic cream in an attempt to halt the infection. She admits she was deeply concerned about possible complications such as sepsis given the extent of tissue damage. The ordeal left her housebound, unable to work from the office or exercise, and visibly distressed at the persistent, worsening sore.
Only after a second course of antibiotics did Paige notice a significant improvement. Months after being bitten she was left with a large, prominent scar on her calf—a permanent reminder of the episode. Though grateful to have avoided more serious consequences, she described the impact as life-altering, noting the dramatic toll it took on her wellbeing.
Now, Paige remains vigilant and encourages others not to ignore unusual symptoms, especially if a bite fails to improve after a few days. “It’s definitely a conversation starter, but I always look for spiders now when I’m out,” she remarked with a wry smile. Her experience underscores the importance of seeking timely medical advice in the event of a mysterious or worsening bite, and serves as a cautionary tale as Britain’s spider population continues to change.