wooglethealien

I woke up at 4:30-ish, probably coz I needed a pee. I felt a prickle feeling in my left cheek, thought it was a spot brewing. Pain increased a LOT. felt cheek. massive wheel (3cmish) on face. Freaked out and checked din mirror, big raised white wheel on cheek. Went back to bed, looked under pillow and found dead spider in centre, between pillows. FREAK OUT.

I'm not scared of spider, I was always the kid that picked them up, rescued damsels in distress etc, although as I grow older am less bold and more uneasy around them

I have it in a tupperware and brought it into work, at least I work next to a hospital.

Anti-histamine and codeine seem to have sorted me out but still dull ache in face, although just sleight red patch, swelling gone down.

Anyway, being me (I am a biologist after all) I wanted to find out what species it was (also check it was actually not some scary crazy thing that came in with the bananas or something). Am pretty sure it fits this description:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/insects-spiders/identification-guides-and-keys/spider-bites/false-widow.html

I wonder whether the natural history museum are still taking submissions?

The description of other people's symptoms seems to fit too . .and am vindicated in the fuss I was making to N at 5am as it is described as 'far more severe than a bee or wasp sting' and I emphasise it was ON MY FACE!