00:00imagine you are hiking near a river or swimming in a lake when suddenly you notice something
00:05slimy stuck to your leg yes it is a leech do not panic today we will explain exactly
00:13what to do if a leech attaches to you safely calmly and without making things worse
00:20step one stay calm leeches may look scary but they are usually harmless they do not
00:28carry diseases in most parts of the world and their bite is painless because they release a
00:33natural anesthetic panicking or trying to rip it off quickly can make things worse step two
00:41do not pull it off forcefully never try to yank a leech off your skin doing this can leave its tiny
00:47jaws stuck under your skin which may cause irritation or infection instead use a gentle method to detach
00:55it safely step three detach the leech safely there are two main ways to do this option one slide it
01:05off use your fingernail or the edge of a card to gently slide under the leeches mouth the small end that is
01:12attached to your skin push sideways until it releases its grip option two use salt or heat if available
01:20sprinkling a small amount of salt vinegar or lemon juice can make the leech detach naturally you can
01:27also touch it gently with a heated stick or lighter not on your skin to encourage it to let go avoid
01:34pouring chemicals directly on the leech while it is attached this could cause it to vomit into the wound
01:40increasing infection risk step four clean the wound once it is off wash the area with soap and clean water
01:49apply an antiseptic cream and if needed cover it with a small bandage it is normal for the wound to
01:55bleed a little leech saliva contains anticoagulants that prevent clotting for a short while step five
02:02watch for signs of infection keep an eye on the area over the next few days if you notice redness
02:09swelling or pus clean it again and seek medical advice for most people the wound heals quickly and leaves no
02:16scar fun fact leeches have actually been used in medicine for centuries they are still used today
02:23in microsurgery to improve blood flow and prevent clots so while they might creep you out they are
02:28also one of nature's oldest healers so the next time you find a leech attached stay calm remove it gently
02:36clean the wound and carry on your adventure leeches are not your enemies they are just part of nature
02:43doing what they do best if you found this video helpful hit like subscribe and share it with your
02:50your outdoor loving friends because being prepared makes every adventure safer
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