Bitten
Have you ever been bitten by a leech. I recently got bit by not one but six!. Leeches are super blood suckers and I know that bloody well now:-). Ticks, fleas, bedbugs and leeches constitute the supreme four. Here are a few you-should-know facts about leech bites
1. You would never get to know when a leech bites. With mosquitos, bedbugs one can feel the pin pricking sensation. But the saliva of leech is a great anaesthetic which effectively numbs the skin.
2. It bleeds. It bleeds horrendously. My legs were covered with blood with absolutely no sensation. No pain, not even a itch.
3. Most leeches (atleast the ones found in Asia) curl their bodies after they bite and attach themselves by hooks. In 15 mins they swell up like balloons many times their body weight. They tenacious blood guzzlers only let go once they cant hold their own weight! Finally satiated, they simply drop off and digest. No need to feed for weeks now:-)
4. Dont panic if the blood flow doesnt stop or the wound does not clot. It wont! Leeches inject some enzymes in their bite which prevent blood from clotting. So the only sensible thing to do is stanch the flow of blood using bandages.
5. The itching starts after 1 day when the wounds begin to clot and skin becomes dry. Obviously dont scratch but hey.. easier said than done:-)
6. One should be careful while removing the leech. The recommended procedure is to scrap it gently with the finger nail at both its anterior and posterior mouths. After that flick it away. Any other revengeful means like 'I will burn you alive' by a lighter or throw salt on it is not advisable. Your leech might just regurgitate all the contents of its stomach back into your body, increasing the chances of an infection. So handle with care:-)
7. There is really no sure way of preventing leech bites while trekking through leech infested areas. But a prudent action could be to frequently keep glancing the legs for any yeeeeks creatures! And lastly.. always carry a first aid kit.
1. You would never get to know when a leech bites. With mosquitos, bedbugs one can feel the pin pricking sensation. But the saliva of leech is a great anaesthetic which effectively numbs the skin.
2. It bleeds. It bleeds horrendously. My legs were covered with blood with absolutely no sensation. No pain, not even a itch.
3. Most leeches (atleast the ones found in Asia) curl their bodies after they bite and attach themselves by hooks. In 15 mins they swell up like balloons many times their body weight. They tenacious blood guzzlers only let go once they cant hold their own weight! Finally satiated, they simply drop off and digest. No need to feed for weeks now:-)
4. Dont panic if the blood flow doesnt stop or the wound does not clot. It wont! Leeches inject some enzymes in their bite which prevent blood from clotting. So the only sensible thing to do is stanch the flow of blood using bandages.
5. The itching starts after 1 day when the wounds begin to clot and skin becomes dry. Obviously dont scratch but hey.. easier said than done:-)
6. One should be careful while removing the leech. The recommended procedure is to scrap it gently with the finger nail at both its anterior and posterior mouths. After that flick it away. Any other revengeful means like 'I will burn you alive' by a lighter or throw salt on it is not advisable. Your leech might just regurgitate all the contents of its stomach back into your body, increasing the chances of an infection. So handle with care:-)
7. There is really no sure way of preventing leech bites while trekking through leech infested areas. But a prudent action could be to frequently keep glancing the legs for any yeeeeks creatures! And lastly.. always carry a first aid kit.
Wishing everyone a leechless life!!
Here is my bandaged leg 24 hrs after they attacked!
10 comments
I hate Leeches!It so revulsing.
I once fell of a steep hill,becasue of few leeches.I saw them on my foot..and didnot know how to remove them...as I did not wanted to touch them.A friend removed it,but i just lost my mind..and started climbing down franticaly..and lost balance and had free rolling fall..down the slope some 50 meteres...and only riped my sole of the feet.
Will you retch if I told you that we dissected Leeches in undergrad! They are disgusting. And before one can dissect them, one has to push all the blood out of their disgusting slimy segemented bodies...uurrrggghhhh...
Gosh!! It seems you had really horrible experience, but I hope you enjoyed the trekking part at least. Congratulations once again and the photos are amazing except the one which you put on the blog. :-)
Where did you come across so many leeches???????????
While trekking one must very long socks wear :D
@ FJ - Oh that was a nasty accident! Maybe getting leeched would have been better
@ Jas - Yucks!! So what did you find insde their bodies:-)
@ Yogsma - It was not a horrible experience, coz as i said it has no sensation only red red red blood :-) It was a bad experience but not horrible.
@ Radha - Deep dense forest:-)
@ NN - I was aware not about socks wearing :-)
@ ALL - Update on the six bites is that now after over 1 week of the attack, there is unbearable itching. scratch scratch .. :-(
ok....if there wouldn't have been a pic to authenticate this leeching business..I almost thought you were referring to "marriage" as "bitten by a leach" ...I swear I did! You sure would have got a mouthful if that were the case!!!! :)
Where the post on the newly acquired wife???? :)
Take care and have a good time :)
@ Moi - No need to swear, I knew you would think that!!
Arre Bhai kya milna tha...wohi digestive system tract, nerve cord nerve gaglia, nephridia...
Check it out for more info!
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/leeches.htm
Although I am sure you are done with leeches for now! :D
Maybe I'm glad I dont have to see a picture of your leg :|
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