Leeches may infest the nares. They often enter the nares when quite small and only become symptomatic when they reach a certain size.
Person at risk:
(1) living in or traveling to a region where leeches are endemic (Mediterranean, Africa, Asia)
(2) bathing or swimming in a rural stream or pond
(3) unsafe water drinking habits (fail to boil groundwater, etc)
Clinical complaints may include:
(1) recurrent epistaxis
(2) foreign body sensation
(3) nasal obstruction
(4) protrusion of engorged leech through the nares
(5) secondary infection
If a leech is found it is important to look for additional leeches in the nares, nasopharynx and oropharynx.
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
