When the Asian buffalo leech bites, it feels like being pricked by a thumb tack.
Once its jaws latch on, it’s crucial to stay calm.
“But I can’t stay calm! As soon as I feel it bite, I panic and desperately try to yank it out,” said JY Shen, a 52-year-old kayak-fisher.
“I know leech bites are harmless, but the Asian buffalo leech pumps so many secretions into the wound that I’ll end up bleeding for hours. So, I frantically try to remove it immediately.”
This leech, locally called lintah, is like the nightmare version of the tiny land leech, known as pacat.
Measuring 5-10cm long and 1-2cm wide, the Asian buffalo leech lives near or in water.
Its powerful jaws can pierce even the thick hides of buffaloes and elephants.
Dissections reveal three jaws, each with 100 to 125 microscopic teeth.
The initial prick lasts just a second because the leech secretes histamines and enzymes, including an anaesthetic, which numbs the pain. If you’re distracted, you might not even notice it feeding.
Lab experiments show that a leech can feed for up to 30 minutes, swelling to nearly twice its size.
While they don’t draw enough blood to cause serious harm, their secretions contain a potent anticoagulant. This means you could continue bleeding for up to 36 hours after the leech detaches.
The immediate bleeding can be so profuse that some feel light-headed, though it’s not life-threatening.
Yanking the leech off quickly might prevent bleeding, but it’s risky. You could leave parts of its jaws embedded in your skin, which cause swelling, itching and pus.
Applying antibiotic cream (preferably with corticosteroids) and taking cetirizine can help with the discomfort.
To avoid days of itching and infection, here’s how to safely remove a leech:
- Tobacco trick: Smokers can sprinkle tobacco on the leech; it’ll let go instantly.
- Heat: Use a lighter to bring a flame close – it’ll release its grip.
- Salt solution: Carry a salt shaker; sprinkling salt on it works wonders.
Some suggest using a flat object like a credit card or knife to scrape it off, but this is tricky with the Asian buffalo leech.
It has a sucker at its tail, which doesn’t draw blood but holds on stubbornly. Even if you scrape off its mouth, it can reattach with its tail and try biting again.
Grabbing it can backfire too – it might latch onto your hand and resist being flicked away. Removing it feels like an endless battle, enough to drive anyone crazy.
Hold the Asian buffalo leech with a pair of pliers if required so it won’t latch on to your hand.
The pointy end is the head while the tail of this Asian buffalo leech is near the knife tip.
About 12 hours after an Asian buffalo leech latched on to the calf for only about 15 seconds and was then yanked off, the wound has swollen to about 5cm in diameter.
Three days after an Asian buffalo leech bit this spot near the ankle for less than 10 seconds and was yanked off, the wound became infected with a little pus forming and itching to no end despite the use of an antibiotic cream.
