One of the most well-known puffer fish facts is that they are poisonous. In fact, this type of fish which is also called fugu fish is classified as one of the most deadly types of natural poisons in the world. Not only that, there are many other facts about puffer fish that you need to know.
Puffer fish (pufferfish) is often used as an ingredient in Japanese cuisine, such as sushi or sashimi. However, due to the toxic content of tetrodotoxin in it, not everyone can process this unique fish into a delicious dish.
Facts About Pufferfish
If you want to process or consume puffer fish, you are encouraged to pay attention to the following facts about puffer fish:
1. Very toxic
Tetrodotoxin contained in puffer fish is a poison that can attack the nervous system and is very deadly. This poison is even more deadly than cyanide. Consuming about 1-2 milligrams of pure tetrodotoxin poison alone can make lives lost.
In Japan alone, it is estimated that there are at least 5–10 cases of puffer fish poisoning each year. Although it seems a little, some people who experience poisoning after consuming the puffer fish cannot be saved.
2. Clean carefully before consumption
Tetrodotoxin is stored in the liver, genital glands, skin, and intestines of puffer fish. In order for puffer fish to be safe for consumption, these various organs must be removed carefully with special techniques so that the fish meat is not contaminated with these toxins.
Therefore, pufferfish are generally not recommended for consumption at home and should only be served in restaurants that specifically serve pufferfish menus.
3. Does not disappear even when cooked
Tetrodotoxin poison will not disappear even if puffer fish is cooked or frozen. If not treated properly, toxins from the puffer fish's organs can spread and be absorbed into the flesh.
This is why a trained chef or cook is needed to clean and process pufferfish into a dish that is safe for consumption.
Symptoms of Pufferfish Poisoning
When a person experiences puffer fish poisoning, there are 4 stages of symptoms that can be experienced, namely:
Stage 1
Symptoms of stage 1 pufferfish poisoning are numbness or numbness in the area around the mouth. These symptoms can be accompanied by digestive disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually appear 10–45 minutes after consuming puffer fish.
Stage 2
The next symptoms of poisoning are numbness in the face, unclear or slurred speech, loss of balance, and feeling weak or unable to move.
Stage 3
At this stage of poisoning, the body will become paralyzed or unable to move at all, unable to speak, respiratory failure, and dilated pupils.
Stage 4
The last stage of pufferfish poisoning symptoms is severe respiratory failure, reduced oxygen levels in the body (hypoxia), slower heart beat than usual (bradycardia), decreased blood pressure (hypotension), heart rhythm disturbances, and decreased consciousness.
Symptoms of puffer fish poisoning can appear within 20 minutes to 3 hours after the pufferfish poison enters the body. In some cases, poisoning symptoms even appear after 20 hours of consuming puffer fish.
If not treated immediately, people who experience food poisoning due to tetrodotoxin from puffer fish can die within about 4-6 hours after consuming puffer fish.
Overcoming Pufferfish Poisoning
Until now, no drug has been found to treat tetrodotoxin poisoning due to consumption of puffer fish. However, people who experience puffer fish poisoning should immediately seek medical attention at the hospital.
At the hospital, the doctor will provide the following treatment to patients who experience puffer fish poisoning:
- Provide oxygen through a breathing apparatus, such as a ventilator, if the patient is unable to breathe spontaneously
- Perform gastric emptying procedures to remove puffer fish poison from the body
- Give tablets or liquid activated charcoal to clean the stomach
- Perform dialysis, especially if the patient has kidney disease
If you or your relatives experience symptoms of poisoning after consuming puffer fish, immediately go to the nearest hospital to get proper treatment from a doctor.
The sooner treatment is carried out, the greater the chance for recovery.