title: Cutaneous complications of improper leech application.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis) has been used throughout the centuries and continues to be used today, mainly in reconstructive surgery and microsurgery. Easy access to these animals may entail an improper use of this therapeutic method by patients as a form of self-treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A man who presented with skin erythema and oedema due to the application of a medical leech.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infection is considered the most common complication of hirudotherapy, even though bacteriological examination of leech applied by the patient showed neither bacterial nor parasitic infection. The skin lesions were probably of allergic origin; whether this reaction was due to substances released from the leech or as a consequence of reusing the same leech, remains to be determined.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Pediatric Dermatology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland. aldonkapietrzak@o2.pl
authors: Aldona
authors: A
authors: Pietrzak
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Kanitakis
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Tomasiewicz
authors: Bartłomiej
authors: B
authors: Wawrzycki
authors: Jolanta
authors: J
authors: Kozłowska-Łój
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Dybiec
authors: Grażyna
authors: G
authors: Chodorowska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017679:Cryotherapy; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D047709:Hirudo medicinalis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D024763:Leeching / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D016896:Treatment Outcome