They bite, slither, and slide — and they save fingers and lives. While the sight of a wriggling, blood-sucking leech may make many people feel queasy, the spineless worms can also help people ...

After exposure to beer, some of the leeches changed behavior, swaying their forebodies, losing grip, or falling on their backs.” And keep an eye on that Honey Nut Cheerios bee!

Though most leech bites are external, ... In rare cases, some people may experience an allergic reaction to leech bites. People with a history of allergies or anaphylaxis need to be extra careful.

Bleeding from a leech bite lasts 10 hours on average, but sometimes continues for days. “It can range anywhere from inconvenient all the way to medically severe,” Joslin says.

In rural tropical areas where leech infestation is common, children are at risk for leech bites in the genital region. Clinical presentation and management for young girls is described.

The once-reviled leech, recently lauded for its potential in preventing repeat heart attacks, could also have a role to play in the treatment of pain and inflammation. In the October Annals of the ...