What happened to the teen in Sittingbourne, Kent?

A teenager in Sittingbourne, Kent, suffered a severe leg wound and infection from a false widow spider bite.

How dangerous are false widow spider bites in the UK?

False widow spider bites can cause painful reactions, swelling, and infections, sometimes requiring medical treatment and leaving scars.

What should I do if bitten by a false widow spider?

Wash the bite, apply a cool compress, and take over-the-counter medication for pain or itching. Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen.

Home / Health / Teen's Leg Rotting After Spider Bite in Kent Park

Teen's Leg Rotting After Spider Bite in Kent Park

10 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A teenager developed a 'rotting hole' on his leg after a false widow spider bite.
The bite occurred while searching for a lost cat in Sittingbourne, Kent.
He required antibiotics and has a permanent scar from the infection.

Teen's Leg Rotting After Spider Bite in Kent Park

A harrowing incident in Sittingbourne, Kent, saw a 16-year-old boy develop a severe, infected wound on his knee after a false widow spider bite. The bite occurred while the teen was searching for his missing cat in a local park.

Initially a lump, the bite rapidly developed into a large blister that burst, oozing pus and blood. Doctors treated the worsening infection, removing dead skin and prescribing a course of antibiotics. Although the teen made a full recovery after two weeks, he is left with a significant scar.

The painful experience has made the young man more cautious, and his mother has expressed increased fear of spiders, advising others to be vigilant. The bite's effects were likened to those of bee or wasp stings, highlighting the potential dangers of even common arachnids.