Eating shellfish causes headaches, shortness of breath, and shellfish toxins

Nowadays, clams are very popular. Komak, which is a seasonal food in March, is rich in amino acids and is good for regaining taste and energy, and clams, which can be enjoyed until late spring, are excellent for preventing anemia and dieting. Moreover, at this time of year, when spring outings are in full swing, grilled clams and clam kalguksu are popular dishes that cannot be missed.

 

Food poisoning caused by paddock has a formidable name. They are paralytic paddock, diarrheal paddock, amnesiac paddock, and nervous paddock. In our country, there are many "paralytic paddocks" and "diarrheal paddocks".

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is caused by saxitoxin and gonyautoxin. The incubation period in the body is short, so the area around the lips is paralyzed within 30 minutes after ingestion, and it gradually spreads to the face and neck. Afterwards, symptoms of headache, nausea, and vomiting appear, and in severe cases, muscle paralysis and difficulty breathing, which can lead to death. Mussel poisoning is a typical example.

Diarrheotic shellfish poisoning (DSP) occurs in oysters and oysters. Okadaic acid, Dinophysis-toxin Pectenotoxin, and Yessotoxin are the causes. Diarrheal paddock recovers faster than paralytic paddock, but it recovers after 3~4 days after causing digestive disorders such as lethargy, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) is caused by domotic acid. Symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are shown within 24 hours after ingestion of shellfish, and neurological abnormalities such as confusion, short-term memory loss, and disorientation occur within 48 hours of poisoning. In severe cases, it can lead to permanent nerve damage and dementia.

Oysters, clams, clams, cockles... Enhanced testing through June

As a result, "shellfish toxin testing" will be strengthened until June. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the cities and provinces jointly collect and inspect 17 seafood products distributed in the country. The collection and shipment of seafood is prohibited in production waters exceeding the permissible standards (paralytic paddock 0.8 mg/kg and diarrheal paddock 0.16 mg/kg). Seafood that has already been distributed and sold shall be recalled and disposed of.

However, no matter how much the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries control it, I personally need to be careful. Paddock is a protein toxin produced by bacteria, not bacteria, so it does not die when boiled at more than 100 degrees, just like other food poisoning toxins.

Of course, not everyone who eats clams now will get food poisoning from paddock. This is because not all shellfish have accumulated high concentrations of paddock to cause food poisoning.

However, there is a definite good chance that the clams contain a lot of paddock at this time of year. You don't have to risk food poisoning to eat them. Even if you're a clam lover, watch out for wild-caught mussels, farmed mussels, oysters, clams, sea squirts, midges ducks, and squirts from March to June.

If you experience headaches, nerve paralysis, or digestive disorders after eating shellfish, it is better to suspect food poisoning caused by paddock and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The occurrence status of shellfish toxins by sea area and the test results by item can be checked from time to time on the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (www.mfds.go.kr), the National Institute of Fisheries Science (www.nfrdi.re.kr), and the websites of each city and province.