Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : November 22, 2017 5:07 PM IST
If you travel or hike regularly to forests and mountains and swim in lakes and rivers, there are high chances of you having a leech latched onto your body. Here is what you need to do to remove a leech. So as a preventive measure, you need to read this to avoid leech from attaching itself to you. Also read about how to treat wounds (cut or scrape) at home?
#1. Avoid going to muddy or march areas in the jungle, where the chances of finding leeches is high. Avoid touching trees and plants and always check yourself often while wandering through a forest or jungle, when on a trip. The same rule applies to swimming in ponds and rivulets.
#2. Always wear long-sleeved clothes and pants as it lowers the exposed area and protects you from getting bitten by a leech. You can also wear gloves and head covering to be on a safer side. Also, opt for close-toed shoes and not sandals as a precautionary measure.
#3. While most people prefer spraying insect repellent as it is known to prevent leech from piling up, it is still debatable if it works. Instead, putting tobacco in your socks or applying soap to your hands and feet is a tried and tested tip that works.
Also, follow these four tips you SHOULD NOT try to remove a leech.
1. Do not try to yank it off as it can leave the sucked attached to your body, which will then become difficult to remove.
2. Do not pour salt on a leech thinking it will loosen its grip and fall, just like it works for an earthworm.
3. Avoid spraying a repellant or drowning it in a shampoo to remove a leech. It might help but it can vomit blood into the skin, which can lead to serious infections.
4. Stay away from using techniques like burning it as it can cause more harm than good. It can also lead to vomiting of blood into the blood putting you at risk of health complications.
Also read about what to do if a dog bites or scratches you: First aid and treatment.
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