Applying medicinal leeches: a practical clinical overview

Applying a medicinal leech well is a small, repeatable discipline: prepare the site, guide attachment, monitor the draw, and manage the controlled bleeding that follows.

Preparation

The target area is cleaned and, where appropriate, a small drop of blood is used to encourage the leech to attach exactly where it is needed. Surrounding skin can be protected so the animal stays on the congested tissue rather than wandering.

Attachment and the feed

A leech typically feeds for a number of minutes and then detaches on its own. It should never be pulled off forcibly. The therapeutic value continues afterwards, as the anticoagulant-rich bite oozes in a controlled way.

Monitoring and aftercare

• Track the colour and turgor of the tissue between applications
• Account for blood loss; monitor haemoglobin where indicated
• Aeromonas prophylaxis per institutional policy
• Each leech is single-patient use and disposed of safely