This is the stomach-churning moment doctors removed a three-inch leech from a toddler's nose.

The girl, 3, was hospitalised for four days after suffering persistent nosebleeds in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.

She was transferred to Nakornping Hospital for further treatment and observation, as baffled specialists failed to find the cause of the bleeding.

Doctors conducted a nasal endoscopy on April 5, and were horrified to find a massive leech lodged deep inside the youngster's right nostril.

Grusome footage shows the parasitic worm, engorged from days of feeding on the girl's blood, latching on the walls of her nasal cavity. It was extracted using a suction device, with its slimy body barely fitting through the tube.

Onlookers cheered when the leech was successfully removed from the child's nasal passage. She was given antibiotics and later discharged from the hospital.

Dr Chaiwat Songsermpanyakul, an ear, eyes, and nose specialist at Nakornping Hospital, said the girl began experiencing symptoms after swimming with her family at a stream a week earlier.

He said: 'Finding a leech in the nasal cavity is rare, but it can happen, especially in rural areas where people use unfiltered or unsterilised water from streams, waterfalls, or wells. Leeches can enter the body unnoticed while swimming or bathing in natural water sources. They may end up in the nose, ears, or even more sensitive areas like the vagina or urethra without you knowing.

'Common symptoms include unexplained and persistent nosebleeds, nasal congestion, itching, or a persistent sensation of your nose being clogged. In some cases, patients may feel fatigued or develop headaches due to blood loss as the leech continues to feed.

'Leech removal should be done by a doctor. Do not try to pull it out yourself since this can cause severe bleeding. In some cases, we may need to use anaesthesia or lubricants to safely dislodge the parasite, followed by antibiotics or medication to stop the bleeding.'

He also urged villagers to avoid using water directly from natural sources where leeches are abundant.