Leeches were once used for bloodletting, a treatment based on the mistaken idea that removing blood could cure many illnesses.
Why are leeches used in medicine?
Today, their medical use is much more precise. Medicinal leeches can help after plastic or reconstructive surgery, especially when a finger, ear or flap of tissue has been reattached.
- "The real danger comes when they horrifyingly attach INSIDE your body..."
- It's as big as a rolling pin and can drain a tablespoon of human blood in a single meal, thanks to its razor-sharp hypodermic needle-like mouth
They help by improving blood flow in the surgically transferred skin tissue or flap, preventing a build-up of blood (congestion) or blood clotting while the new veins grow. Effectively, they act as a temporary living drain, keeping the skin tissue alive.
Can leeches cause infection?
Yes. Leeches carry bacteria in their digestive systems, including Aeromonas species. In nature, that helps them digest blood. In humans, it can occasionally lead to wound infections.
This is also one of the main risks of medicinal leech therapy. Hospitals manage the danger carefully, using controlled medical-grade leeches and, in many cases, antibiotics. But infections can still occur, ranging from local wound infections to much more serious illness.
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