Sons and grandkids got back from Fraser Island couple of days ago, I didn't go Back not good.
Son with the bad leg was getting out of his 4wd on the first day sometime during the day, and noticed his bad foot was bleeding quite heavily, couldn't work it out till they found a leech sitting, maybe lying and fully gorged, on the floor mat. It had been sucking his foot through a gap in his sandal and was pulled off when he removed the sandal to see where the blood was coming from.
Took approx two hours to stem quite a heavy flow with older son dressing it and putting pressure on it.
That is quite a yucky experience, thought I had better warn anyone they are there.
Yuck! ... Ultra Yuck!!! Are you glad you didnt go now, HW? Leeches can get inside boots and under socks, you need to check for them often. I found Vicks Vapour rub around the tops of my socks kept them out of shoes.
Nasty little suckers Marj. I grew up in the country so got quite used to them. I believe they inject some sort of anticoagulant to make the blood keep flowing. Hence the problem you had stopping the bleeding.
Yes, HW, your post has made me realise anyone on blood thinners would bleed more with a leech. Gerty, what a good idea. Vicks also good for cold sores.
Just a warning for anyone heading up to Springbrook on the Gold Coast Hinterland. We used to go there all the time when we lived on the Coast and it has many many leeches when I found one on my leg we stopped going for good lol. Michelle