Have you ever had blood sucking leeches attach to you?

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   Ericdierkerposted 7 years ago

   Have you ever had blood sucking leeches attach to you?
   
   My son just asked me and I said "of course". It made him kind of look at me sideways. Then I realized that most folks have never been places and got in the water where leeches hang out. Verde river in Arizona and a canal just off the Saigon river come to mind.

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   Terrielynn1posted 7 years ago

   Why Eric yes I have. I grew up in the caribou part of BC, Canada. f you went in the weedy part of the lake you would find leeches. They are gross but salt gets rid of them. How are you?

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for that, the little buggers can handle a winter of cold and their offspring come out tough as nails. Their history in healing is amazing. Terrie we are doing great here, it is a time of year for togetherness before craziness, Happy

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      Terrielynn1posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      After my comment I thought maybe you meant a different kind of leech,lol. I've had experience with those too.

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   manatita44posted 7 years ago

   Not me, I don't think. But Channel swimmers and I was once one, have them stuck on them. I have cared for patients in which these leeches were used as therapy. Or is it maggots? I get confused here. Well, they're a kind of leech.

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Manatita - I believe that maggots are fascinating. They debride and secret a substance that helps fight infection. Very cool. Medically I believe the leech saliva is actually produced into hypertension medicine and blood thiners

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      manatita44posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Didn't know that. Interesting!

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   The0NatureBoyposted 7 years ago

   I was in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic when in Vietnam so I didn't get any of the field action so many Army and Marines where I could come in contact with them. Neither have I been in Rio Verde in Arizona, so my answer is no.

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Elijah, it is interesting to note, I believe you hail from DC. Leech capital of North America. Yes I mean before 1800 as the swamp. Or do I mean after? ;-)

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      The0NatureBoyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      My birth was Grambling, Louisiana, from 8 I was raised in Fort Worth, TX until I became the nomad in 1976. DC is still the leech capital of the world, it sucks man's life's blood, money, and makes us poor.  LOLA(nd)L(ong)

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   LoisRyan13903posted 7 years ago

   Would the IRS count as leeches?  Those leeches are after me year after year.

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Oh my friend, good to here from you. For sure the IRS is a subspecies of  Macrobdella Décora or the North American Leech they not only suck your blood they are extremely painful. Most are found in the DC area called the swamp.Alcohol is best remedy.

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