How to check for leeches in the body

Leeches refer to medicinal leeches (Hirudinea). In general, the presence of leeches in the body can be confirmed through symptom presentation, physical examination, blood tests, visual inspection, and laboratory tests. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Symptom Presentation

If a leech enters the body through a wound, it may cause local skin symptoms such as itching, redness, swelling, and pain. Since leeches feed on blood, excessive blood-sucking may lead to anemia, dizziness, fatigue, and other systemic symptoms in the patient. Additionally, if a leech enters through the nasal cavity, symptoms such as a foreign body sensation, swelling, bleeding, and nasal obstruction may easily occur.

2. Physical Examination

Leeches typically live in environments such as paddy fields, ponds, ditches, and rivers. Their pathogenic effect on humans primarily involves secreting hirudin during feeding, which prolongs coagulation time and leads to prolonged mucosal bleeding at the host site. If a leech enters the human body, the affected mucosal area may develop persistent wounds that fail to heal for a long time.

3. Blood Tests

Due to blood-sucking and the secretion of hirudin, which prolongs coagulation time, patients may develop anemia. A hospital blood test can confirm this condition.

4. Visual Inspection

Doctors visually examine the patient's body surface, especially areas prone to leech infestation. They carefully inspect the skin for signs of leeches, such as gray or black moving organisms.

5. Laboratory Tests

Doctors may perform laboratory tests as needed. This could include sending collected samples to a laboratory for microscopic examination to determine the presence of leeches or infections caused by them.

If leech attachment or biting is confirmed, doctors will take appropriate measures, such as removing the leech and treating any associated infection or inflammation.