What to do after being bitten by a leech

If bitten by a leech, wound management should include cleaning, disinfection, dressing and immobilization, and medical examination. Specific steps are as follows:

1. Wound cleaning: After being bitten by a leech, avoid pulling it off by hand, as this may leave its mouthparts embedded under the skin and lead to infection. Instead, gently slap the surrounding skin or pour salt water to encourage the leech to detach. Rinse the wound surface under running tap water and gently squeeze blood and debris from the proximal end toward the distal end.

2. Disinfection: After cleaning, apply an antiseptic such as iodine solution or alcohol to disinfect the wound.

3. Dressing and immobilization: If bleeding persists, cover the wound with sterile gauze and secure it with adhesive tape.

4. Medical examination: Leech bites are prone to infection. After initial treatment, it is advisable to visit a hospital for bacteriological testing to rule out infection.