LEECHES
IF THEY CREEP YOU OUT, GET RID OF THEM “Okay princess,” said my wife gleefully. “Time to get out of the canoe.” I cringed, frozen in the stern. Just ahead lay the portage into a neighbouring lake. Blocking our path was a thick 50-metre “barrier” of weeds, lily pads and squishy mud – prime habitat for leeches. I hate even saying the word “leech.” It gives me the willies, but they’re present in almost every body of water. The good news is that only about 10 per cent of leech species want your blood. The rest Clean the bite with soap and water, then apply an anti-bacterial feed off decaying plant matter. ointment like Polysporin. Apply direct pressure if needed to stop They look bleeding. (Usually, you won’t see any blood or feel an itch.) Then cover to me like a I HATE EVEN SAYING THE WORD “LEECH.” the spot with a bandage. disgusting If it starts to itch, apply baking soda or take a mild antihistamine. If worm or slug IT GIVES ME THE WILLIES. a rash or swelling forms, or any other allergic reaction develops, see a but with doctor. suckers on each end. Ranging in size from one to 20 centimetres, they’re Next time you want to wimp out of a weedy, gooey swamp at the foot usually black or brownish. Leeches sink their tiny teeth into you (it doesn’t hurt because they inject a numbing agent) and start sucking of a portage, just accept the “princess” label, and step out anyway. blood. If you’re scientifically inclined you could just wait and watch for Leeches aren’t forever. about 20 minutes, taking notes, until the leech fills up and drops off. Too disgusting for me! Here’s how to get rid of them quickly and easily. Everyone has a favourite way to get rid of leeches. Mine is salt. I sprinkle it on them from a tiny spice packet in my fanny pack. Presto! They just drop away. Some people claim applying salt may cause the leech to empty its stomach onto the wound, but that’s never happened to me. Another popular de-leeching method involves sliding your fingernail under the • FOOTWEAR • ACCESSORIES leech’s mouth as close as possible to the • ATHLETIC CLOTHING • TRIATHLON teeth, then gently lifting it away. If you don’t want to use salt and don’t • INSTORE OR ONLINE want to touch the leech, some people touch it with a heated pin, a lit match or a glowing cigarette. This gets its immediate attention, and it drops off. Some people suggest covering the leech in liquid soap, petroleum jelly, alcohol, lemon juice or carbonated drinks but these can be messy and sting. Others suggest insect repellant or even turpentine, but these chemicals could infect the wound. Once off, get rid of the leech immediately as the little critter will try to reattach itself. The wound may continue bleeding because YOUR DESTINATION FOR AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE of anti-coagulants it has injected into you. 5607 Hazeldean Road | Ottawa | 613-831-3604 203 Richmond Road | Ottawa | 613-792-1170 Inspect the bite location to ensure that teeth or shop online at bushtukah.com jaw parts have not been left behind. Get them out with tweezers if necessary.
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PHOTO BY MATHESS
By Allen Macartney
