In ancient times, a hirudotherapy session was called bloodletting. This name is not accidental, because the saliva of a leech contains special substances that prevent blood clotting. In some cases, non-stop bleeding is a concern, so anyone who wants to try this treatment should know how to stop bleeding after leeches.
Healing worms
The benefits of treating various ailments with the help of leeches have been known for a very long time. It is safe to say that hirudotherapy is one of the oldest methods of healing, popular in ancient Rome.
Today, hirudotherapy sessions are very popular. Little healers are able to both cure various ailments and normalize metabolism. You can also buy leeches in pharmacies, but there is a risk that they could already be used for their intended purpose.another person. And leeches easily carry the infection. To prevent such a possibility, it is better to contact specialized clinics that deal with both the treatment and breeding of these worms. And remember that any procedures must be agreed in advance with a specialist.
What is the use of a leech bite?
Leech is known for its ability to purify the blood. Her saliva contains hirudin, which includes a large number of biologically active substances familiar to our body. These substances saturate the bloodstream with oxygen and help eliminate toxins. And thanks to the ability to prevent blood clotting and thin blood clots, the contaminated vessels are cleansed. Leeches are used in several areas: endocrinology, gynecology and cosmetology.
Features of hirudotherapy
Depending on the purpose, the leech treatment procedure takes place with a different number of worms and a different session duration. Hirudotherapy is a very delicate process that requires good moral preparation. Leeches are able to subtly capture the mood of the patient, therefore, at the slightest hint of disgust, they can refuse treatment. On average, one session takes from 20 to 40 minutes, with a frequency of two to three times a week. 10-15 leeches are used in one procedure.
The skin of leeches is launched from glass vials. During biting, slight pain is felt, which quickly subsides due to the analgesic properties of leech saliva. After the procedure, a sterile dressing must be applied to the bite site.
Contraindications for hirudotherapy
In order to avoid possible problems and not harm your body, treatment with leeches must be strictly agreed with specialists, because, like any other method, there are limitations in hirudotherapy for some people.
This type of treatment is contraindicated:
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- for people with bleeding disorders;
- for hemophilia and other similar diseases;
- when taking certain medications.
Possible complications of treatment with leeches
Like any treatment, hirudotherapy also has a number of side effects. They are completely harmless, so do not worry if strange symptoms appear. However, it is better to know about the possible consequences of the procedure in advance in order to be sure of them.
Allergic reactions
Itching and redness at bite sites is quite common and does not require concern. Rashes on the skin can be either in the form of a small rash, similar to hives, or in the form of large single pimples. This is a reaction not so much to the saliva of a leech, but to the bactericidal and disinfecting effect that it has, cleansing the blood of toxins and foreign microorganisms. In order for this side effect to disappear, you can take antihistamines and lubricate the reddened skin with anti-allergic ointment. The main thing is to drink plenty of fluids so that the toxins and poisons released“foreign” bacteria and viruses at the time of their death, quickly left the body.
Skin pigmentation
Such an unpleasant effect as hyperpigmentation is observed at the sites of leech bites. These are small blood clots and blood clots that accumulate due to the fact that the wound cannot heal for a long time. For people with sensitive and fair skin, the first few sessions of therapy are best to put leeches on those parts of the body that will be hidden by clothing. Once the blood is clearer, the bites will heal much faster. Use heparin-containing ointments to resolve bruises.
Drowsiness, drowsiness, chills
Such symptoms usually appear in people with poor immunity and thick contaminated blood. In the first hours after the session of hirudotherapy, the saliva of leeches reaches the places of accumulation of blood clots and plaques in the vessels and dilutes them. They flow down the walls of blood vessels and enter the general circulation. Therefore, during the time that they circulate in the body and slow down the blood circulation, the patient becomes lethargic and lethargic. Drink a mug of hot herbal tea and lie down to rest - after a couple of hours, all the excess will be released from the body and it will become easier.
Bleeding
If the blood doesn't stop after the leech, don't panic. After all, for this, the procedure is carried out - so that all contaminated blood comes out, replaced by he althy and clean. Therefore, you should not try to stop the bleeding a couple of hours after hirudotherapy. Moreover, it is likely to be useless. Leech saliva containssubstances that prevent blood clotting. When its action is over, the wound will heal itself. However, knowing how to stop the bleeding after a leech bite is still necessary. Because there are situations when bleeding needs to be stopped urgently, for example, before a trip or an important event.
How to stop bleeding after leeches?
This and other similar questions are usually asked by beginners - those for whom hirudotherapy sessions have not yet become a common thing. Below are the answers to the most popular ones.
How long should blood flow after leeches in time? - After the first procedure - no more than 24 hours. For prolonged bleeding, see a doctor.
How much blood after leeches does a person lose in one procedure? - On average, about 70 ml of blood. However, its quantity depends both on the location of the leeches and on their number.
Should I forcefully try to stop the bleeding? - No, if there are no warning signs. To avoid unnecessary worries, it is better to consult a specialist in advance.
How long does it take for leech bites to heal? - About a week. The maximum is two weeks. The wounds that bleed heavily immediately after a hirudotherapy session heal the longest.
Ways to stop bleeding
There are situations when blood does not stop after leeches. What to do in this case?
- Tight pressure bandage on the bite site for several hours.
- Bite sitecan be treated with iodine or brilliant green.
- Another great way to securely seal a wound is BF medical glue.
- A piece of swab, securely fixed to the wound with a plaster or bandage. The blood oozing from it will be absorbed into the swab. This, in turn, will expand and push against the hole, blocking the blood flow.
- Stop the blood after leeches on the back, oddly enough, you can use ordinary ice. Wrap the cube in a cloth and apply this compress to the wound on the back.
- What to do if after leeches the blood does not stop and no method helps? A vacuum jar will help, but this is an extreme measure. You can put it no earlier than after 8 hours, and only for 4-5 minutes. The jar will take the blood with saliva, and the wound will heal itself.
Patient testimonials
On the first day after the start of treatment, many patients report heavy bleeding with large clots, which is very difficult to stop. However, after several sessions, the wounds heal faster and faster, sometimes after ten to twelve hours. When asked how to stop the blood after leeches, many advise using pads on the bite site. One of the most worrying issues for patients is the time it takes for small bite scars to disappear. However, everything is individual here: for some, they pass in a month, for others - within a year.
Expert Opinion
Although the reviews of many doctors are still divided into pros and cons, most experts note the undoubted effectiveness of treatment with leeches, and even inwhere conventional medicine fails. Some doctors purposefully prescribe hirudotherapy procedures to their patients, being confident in a positive result. The benefits of these little healers have been proven by thousands of years of experience, and since then, knowledge in the field of hirudotherapy has only been accumulating.
