How to Remove a Leech

PDF download Download Article
Get a leech off your skin easily and safely
PDF download Download Article

Leeches live in moist undergrowth and grasses as well as freshwater areas. They attach themselves to warm-blooded animals, including humans, and can expand to 10 times their normal size as the fill themselves up on blood. If you find a leech on your body, don't panic, since they don't spread disease or cause pain. If you can stand the thought of letting the leech get its fill, it'll drop off on its own after about 20 minutes, but you can also remove the little sucker using nothing but your fingernail. [1]

How to Take Off a Leech

Locate the leech’s sucker where it’s attached to your skin. Use one hand to pull your skin taut, then use your other hand to gently slide a fingernail under the leech’s sucker. Once it’s detached, flick it away quickly. If you don’t want to use your finger, the edge of a credit card or a piece of paper also work.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Removing a Leech

PDF download Download Article
  1. The head is the narrower part of the leech, and the sucker where it attaches to your skin. If the leech is located on one of your arms, legs, your torso, or another easily accessible area, you should be able to remove it yourself. Otherwise, you'll need someone else to help you take it off. [2]
    • If you find one leech, you should check your entire body to see if there are more. Leeches inject an anesthetic into your skin when they sink their teeth in, so their bites are painless. You may not be able to feel the presence of other leeches elsewhere on your body.
    • Remember that leeches aren't poisonous and they don't carry diseases, so don't panic when you find one. Leeches are usually quite easy to remove and won't cause any long-term harm.
  2. Use one hand to gently pull the skin near the sucker taught, then place your other hand next to the leech and slide one of your fingernails underneath the sucker. The leech will immediately begin attempting to reattach itself, so flick it off right away. [3]
    • Do not yank off the leech, since this will leave its sucker attached to your body.
    • If you're squeamish about using your fingernail to remove the leech, you can use the edge of a credit card, a sturdy piece of paper or any other thin object instead.
    Advertisement
  3. When leeches latch on, they inject an anticoagulant to prevent the blood from clotting before they can get their fill. When you remove a leech, it might bleed for several hours or even days before the anticoagulant leaves your system. Be prepared for the sight of profuse bleeding when you take the leech off. Cleanse the open wound with rubbing alcohol or another first aid cleansing solution, then apply a bandage to protect it. [4]
    • Since the bleeding might take a while to stop, you should change the bandage regularly.
    • It's important to treat the area as you would any open wound, especially if you're hiking around in a jungle. Open wounds are more susceptible to getting infected in jungle environments.
    • Expect the wound to itch while it heals.
  4. If you can stand it, an easy way to get rid of a leech is by letting it drop off on its own. It takes around 20 minutes for a leech to fill up, and when it's done feeding it will fall off your skin. Leeches don't take enough blood for blood loss to be a worry here, and since they don't spread disease, there's really no harm in letting them fall of without intervening. [5]
    • The practice of letting leeches feed on human blood for medical purposes has been done for thousands of years, and "leech therapy" continues to be medically important. The FDA has approved the use of leeches to help with circulation problems and to aid in tissue reattachment [6]
  5. You might have heard that you can remove a leech by pouring salt on it, burning it, spraying it with repellant or drowning it in shampoo. While these techniques might cause the leech to release its grip and fall off, it won't do so before vomiting back into the wound. This can lead to bad infections, so stick to the healthier practice of simply using a fingernail or other straightedge to get under the sucker.
    6. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Dealing With Difficult Leeches

PDF download Download Article
  1. Sometimes leeches find their way into orifices, like the nostrils, ear canals and mouth. This is especially common when you're swimming among leeches. When this happens, it can be difficult to reach the sucker and use the simple leech removal method. Do your best to remove it the easy way before trying alternative methods. [7]
    • See if someone can help you slide something under the sucker. Be very careful not to poke yourself, though. Do not use this method if you can't see the sucker.
    • You can try to let the leech finish sucking and fall off, but if it's inside a tiny space it might get too big and cause problems.
  2. If the leech has attached itself to the inside of your mouth, you might be able to cause it to fall off by rinsing your mouth with vodka or another strong alcohol. Rinse it around your mouth for about 30 seconds, then spit. Check to see if the leech is gone.
    • If you don't have alcohol on hand, hydrogen peroxide may also work.
    • If the leech is still there after you spit, and doesn't fall off on its own, you need to seek medical attention.
  3. If you're in a remote area and don't have immediate access to a doctor, you might need to puncture the leech. Hopefully you will have been able to remove it via another method, but if it's in a really tricky place, like your nostril, you might need to pop the leech before it obstructs your breathing. To do this, take a sharp knife and simply pop through the skin. It's not going to be pretty, but the leech will die and you should have an easier time getting to the sucker.
    • Remove the leech's body and immediately wash the area.
    • If signs of infection occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
  4. If you have a leech far up your nose, in your ear canal or in another place that's impossible to reach, go to the doctor to get it removed. The doctor will be able to use instruments to remove the leech without hurting you. [8]
  5. Few people are allergic to leeches, but it does happen. If you experience dizziness, a rash, shortness of breath or swelling, take an antihistamine (such as Benadryl) and seek medical attention right away.
    6. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Keeping Leeches Off Your Skin

PDF download Download Article
  1. Land leeches are common in the jungles of Africa and Asia, and they're also found in freshwater lakes and ponds across the world. If you're planning a trip to a place known for having leeches, bring the right gear with you to minimize the chances that you'll get bitten. [9]
    • Land leeches tend to live in muddy and leafy areas in the jungle. If you stand in one place long enough, they'll start crawling toward you. Try to avoid touching trees and plants, and check yourself often for leeches.
    • Water leeches are attracted to movement, so splashing around and swimming might put you at greater risk. [10]
  2. Leeches are attracted to the exposed skin of warm-blooded animals. Wearing long sleeves and pants will protect you from getting bitten, although you'll probably find leeches trying to get through the fabric. If you're especially concerned about getting bitten, wear gloves and a head covering so that no skin is left exposed.
    • Wear close-toed shoes instead of sandals.
    • If you're planning a longer jungle expedition, it's worth investing in a pair of leech-proof socks.
  3. While this isn't a foolproof measure for avoiding leeches, it'll prevent them from piling on. Spray your skin and clothes with a standard insect repellent, and reapply it every few hours while you're in a leech-infested area. Here are a few other tricks you can try to repel them:
    • Put loose tobacco in your socks. It's said that leeches don't like the smell.
    • Rub soap or detergent on your hands and clothes.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I slap off a leech?
    Community Answer
    No. It may cause the leech to vomit blood into your body which could pose serious issues.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 55
  • Question
    Can the leeches get through fabric?
    Community Answer
    Leeches have difficulty attaching through any thick layer of skin or fabric, but it is possible for them to chew their way through loose weave or very thin fabrics.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 57
  • Question
    Are you supposed to pull the leech off?
    Community Answer
    No, you should never pull the leech off. If you do, you might rip your skin because its teeth are stuck in your skin.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 19 Helpful 50
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • To prevent leeches from latching on in the first place, wear closed in shoes and higher socks. Also insect repellent on your body will prevent them from 'smelling' that you are near by, so they will be less likely to latch on.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Check your feet and legs or any other part of your body that may have come into possible leech territory, so that you can identify them before they suck too much blood.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      • Leeches die when covered in salt, or wrapped into a tightly coiled ball of tissues. The salt and dry environment of the tissues soaks up the leeches moisture, causing them to therefore shrivel. But this may cause them to vomit blood onto your wound, which can severely increase your risk of infection, which can be fatal.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Leeches will also attach themselves to outside household pets such as dogs and cats. Low to the ground animals may also get a leech in their eye. If this happens, DO NOT pull it off or rub at it. DO NOT put salt on it. Wait till it drops off. The animal's eye will be swollen for a day or two, but otherwise it should be okay. If not, see a vet.
        Thanks
        Helpful 102 Not Helpful 20
      • Don't use shampoo, salt or insect repellent on the leech while it is attached to our body, as the leech might regurgitate back into the open skin and cause infection.
        Thanks
        Helpful 109 Not Helpful 25
      • Don't pull or tug at the leech.
        Thanks
        Helpful 102 Not Helpful 25
      • If you suffer from many leeches that are also very large, see a doctor.
        Thanks
        Helpful 73 Not Helpful 25
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Fingernail, credit card, piece of paper, or something else thin and stiff
      • Paper towel
      • Insect Repellent
      • Closed shoes and socks

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Survive an Encounter with a Crocodile or Alligator
      Sand Flea Bites: Treatment, Prevention, & More
      How to
      Survive a Tiger Attack
      How to
      Survive a Wolf Attack
      How to
      Prevent or Survive a Monkey Attack
      How to
      Kill Leeches
      How to
      Treat Sandfly Bites
      How to
      Stop a Goose Attack
      How to
      Identify a Rabid Animal
      How to
      Survive a Leopard Attack
      What Does a Deer Tick Look Like?
      How to
      Avoid or Escape a Bull
      How to
      Protect Yourself from Dogs While Walking
      How to
      Survive a Shark Attack
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/insect-bites-and-stings#leech-bites
      2. ↑ https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/monitoring/biomonitoring/sampling/bugs/leeches.html
      3. ↑ https://www.utoledo.edu/policies/utmc/nursing/guidelines/general/pdfs/leech-therapy-guidelines.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.austin.org.au/bites-and-stings/
      5. ↑ https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/news/2023/08/28/00/13/get-to-know-leeches
      6. ↑ https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2020/03/how-leeches-can-save-lives-and-limbs-for-some-patients
      7. ↑ https://medic.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/FKUSK1_MJMHS_V2_NO2_8.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518971/
      9. ↑ https://eartharchives.org/articles/the-bloodthirsty-land-leeches-of-asia/index.html
      1. ↑ https://www.field-studies-council.org/2022/10/26/freshwater-leeches-identification-and-ecology/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 241,468 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Virginia Halford

        May 7, 2021

        "I noticed a leech attached to my dog's paw. Thanks to this article I know to leave it be and to wait for the ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement