16 Facts and Ways to Deal with Puffer Fish Poisoning
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16 Facts and Ways to Deal with Puffer Fish Poisoning. Learn interesting facts about pufferfish, including their unique characteristics. Also know the right way to deal with puffer fish poisoning and precautions to stay safe.
Pufferfish is one of the sea creatures that has a charming and unique appearance. With a body that can expand when feeling threatened, pufferfish have their own charm.
Despite its mercy, this fish is actually very dangerous because it contains a deadly poison called tetrodotoxin. Uniquely, puffer fish meat is still considered a delicacy in some countries, especially in Japan, where it is known as pufferfish.
This poison is very dangerous, but it can be avoided if the fish meat is cooked properly by a licensed chef. Puffer fish poison is not only found in seawater, but also in some species of freshwater pufferfish.
Therefore, understanding the facts about pufferfish and knowing how to deal with possible poisoning is essential to maintain safety.
Facts about pufferfish
1. Pufferfish have deadly venom
The toxin found in pufferfish is known as tetrodotoxin. This poison is very powerful, even more deadly than cyanide. Only in very small amounts can this poison cause death.
2. Can be eaten with special preparations
Although puffer fish meat is poisonous, it has been processed by certified chefs and is still safe to eat. A chef must undergo thorough training to know how to remove parts of the body that contain toxins.
3. Toxins found in some parts of the body
Pufferfish venom is most common in the liver, ovaries, skin, and intestines. Therefore, these parts must be disposed of carefully when preparing the puffer fish for consumption.
4. There is no specific antidote to tetrodotoxin
Currently, there is no specific antidote to tetrodotoxin poisoning. Poisoning treatment focuses more on supportive care to address symptoms, such as respiratory support.
5. There are more than 120 species of the pufferfish
More than 120 species of pufferfish are spread throughout the world, both in freshwater and seawater. Each type has different levels of poison.
6. Sea pufferfish are more poisonous than freshwater pufferfish
Generally, pufferfish that live in seawater have higher levels of toxins compared to freshwater pufferfish.
7. Use of Tetrodotoxin in Medical Research
Despite its toxicity, tetrodotoxin is also used in medical research due to its properties of blocking nerve signals, making it potentially for the development of pain relievers.
8. Pufferfish can develop their bodies as a defense mechanism
Pufferfish have the ability to develop their bodies two or three times their normal size to deter predators.
9. Toxins don't go away when cooking
Tetrodotoxin cannot be destroyed by cooking or other processing methods, so cooking puffer fish must be done carefully.
10. Some pufferfish are not poisonous
Some species of pufferfish are known to contain no venom or have very low levels of venom, although this is not the case for all.
11. Puffer Fish as an Expensive Food
In Japan, puffer fish or puffer fish is considered a luxury food and can be very expensive due to its preparation and the risks involved.
12. Contains tetrodotoxin 1,200 times more deadly than cyanide
The tetrodotoxin poison present in pufferfish is estimated to be 1,200 times more deadly than cyanide.
13. Few people can become fugu chefs
To become a fugu chef, one must have a special license after passing very rigorous training and exams.
14. Tetrodotoxin may disable the nervous system
These toxins work by interfering with the transmission of signals in the nerves, which can cause paralysis of muscles, including respiratory muscles.
15. The shape of his body resembles a ball
Pufferfish are known for their rounded body shape when inflated, like a ball that serves as a defense mechanism.
16. The appeal of puffer fish lies not only in the taste of the meat
In addition to its delicious taste that some people think is delicious, puffer fish also has an appeal because of the sense of danger that comes with it when eaten.
Symptoms of puffer fish poisoning
Symptoms of puffer fish poisoning can appear within 30 minutes to 4 hours after eating meat contaminated with poison. Here are some of the symptoms that often appear:
- A tingling or numbness sensation on the lips and tongue, which then spreads throughout the body.
- Dizziness and headaches.
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
- Loss of muscle control, including paralysis
- Coma and in severe cases, can be fatal
If these symptoms appear after eating pufferfish, seek medical attention immediately.
How to deal with puffer fish poisoning
Overcoming puffer fish poisoning requires quick action, since there is no specific antidote to tetrodotoxin poisoning. Here it is some steps that you can take:
- Call emergency medical services immediately
Time is of the essence in overcoming puffer fish poisoning. Immediately seek help from
the emergency medical services.
- First aid
If the victim has difficulty breathing, make sure the airway remains open. If necessary, perform CPR while waiting for medical treatment.
- Immediately take the victim to the near hospital
Treatment for tetrodotoxin poisoning is usually done in a hospital, where supportive care such as mechanical ventilation may be necessary.
- Inpatient care
In the hospital, patients may be given oxygen and mechanical ventilation to help with breathing in case of paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Intravenous fluid support may also be prescribed to treat dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea.
- Monitoring of Vital Signs
Vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation should be monitored closely.
- Symptomatic and supportive therapy
There is no specific antidote to tetrodotoxin, so treatment focuses only on treating symptoms until the toxins leave the body naturally.
Pufferfish are interesting creatures, and their meat is considered delicious in some cultures. However, eating pufferfish has great risks due to its deadly poison.
So ESMEDIA friends, that's what the article was about: 16 Facts and Ways to Deal with Puffer Fish Poisoning
