Hirudotheraphy contraindications:
• Haemophilia and anticoagulants
Haemophilia is an absolute contraindication. However, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, such as aspirin, are relative contraindications. One needs to stop taking them before starting a therapy. Also specimens with Gingko biloba and fish oils should be put off.
• Anaemia
A haemoglobin cutback during one therapy even for maximum dose of leeches does not exceed 0.7% for a person taking no medicaments and nor other load. It is a must that before the treatment haemoglobin level should be more than 10mg%.
• Bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract
Gastrointestinal ulcers are contraindications to hirudotherapy on account of dangerous bleeding risk. That is particularly unsafe for patients taking aspirin derivatives.
• Acute states of infection
During an acute infection a temporary immunity decrease can occur due to the struggle of the organism with microorganisms in infectious disease. It can lead to wound healing disorders and in the worst case to infection by microorganisms derived from a leech.
• Severe stages of internal diseases and immunosuppression.
Uncontrolled diabetes, cirrhosis, HIV, dialysis, acute renal failure, pneumonia are contraindications to hirudotherapy.
• Severe allergies
In case of patients with allergy, one can always meet hypersensitivity to substances from salivary glands. Thus, if we are going to continue therapy, it is advisable for a patient to take antihistaminic drugs before, during and after the leech therapy.
• Pregnancy
Recent observations show that leeches don’t constitute a threat to the foetus. Pregnancy is a contradiction because in the case of infectious complications of leech wounds, pregnant woman requires a therapy which is contraindicated in pregnancy and can lead to foetal distress.
• Hypotension
Caution should be exercised when blood pressure is at 60/80 mmHg or less. Almost always in such cases patients experience dizziness and general weakness after a session of hirudotherapy.
• Other contraindications:
1. After the consumption of alcohol and drugs
2. Women during menstruation
3. Children under 10 years old.