Despite their unsettling appearance, leeches occupy a valued place in both historical and current medical practice. Leeches are currently used, for example, in specific microsurgery cases and to help with some skin grafts. Regardless of these benefits, an unsupervised leech experience can be dangerous. It can lead to a large amount of blood loss, as well as infection. Once attached, you must take the proper steps to remove the leech or its head may remain lodged in your skin, leading to infection.
Instructions
Removing with Hands
1. Find the leech. Leeches secrete a mild anesthetic when they attach. This means that you may not feel any pain. If you feel a slimy sensation on your skin, check yourself thoroughly. You may need to ask a friend to help you check areas you can't see.
2. Slide your fingernail underneath the end of the leech where its mouth is located. Slowly push it away skin. The mouth is generally located on the skinny end of the leech. If you cannot tell, use your fingers to gently feel for the mouth.
3. Remove it from your finger quickly. Speed is of the essence as you want to get rid of the leech before it attaches itself to your finger.
Removing with Irritants
4. Apply heat from a match to the leech. You can also use a small amount of salt as an irritant. The irritant should cause the leech to detach itself from your body.
5. Flick the leech away before it can reattach itself to another part of your body.
6. Check the bitten area to verify that no part of the head was left on the skin.
Tags: from your, your skin, Removing with, your body, your finger