What is a cat worm? How to prevent cat worm poisoning?

There was a time when Chinese traders hunted for Ban Cat worms and bought them at a high price of 1-2 million VND/kg. Therefore, people rushed to catch a lot. However, some people suffer severe burns immediately upon contact, even poisoning after ingesting this worm. Not only are toxins harmful to humans, they also contribute to the destruction of many crops.

What is a cat worm?

Cat worms live in hilly areas and plains. They have the scientific name Cantharis vesicatoria or have many other names such as fire bugs, dung beetles, banhanh or ban Mao. In Vietnam, caterpillars often reside on beans, so they are called bean worms.

This worm has a hard wing, a small body about 15-20mm long and about 4-6mm wide. The head is deep, heart-shaped, with a longitudinal groove in the middle, and a filamentous black antennae. The deep body has about 11 segments, in the middle of the head and body there is a constriction. If you look closely, you will see that the wings of the cat worm have bright red or yellow dots on the black body. In addition, depending on the type of worm, there are species of yellow body with black spots or horizontal bands.

Underneath the wing cover there are 2 thin transparent brown wings. The abdomen is deeply divided into rings and the breast has 3 pairs of legs. Cat worm has a characteristic pungent smell, the first taste is spicy and the latter is bitter. However, you absolutely should not taste it because it will be dangerous to your life.

Cat worms

According to Th.S – Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, in charge of the Anti-Poison Center at Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, analyzed that the cat worm contains cantharidin – an extremely toxic active ingredient in the group A poison group . This substance is much stronger. Paraquat herbicide causes intestinal necrosis and multi-organ failure when ingested.

Usually, the toxicity is only for the male cat beetle. When in the breeding season, they will use this substance to pass on to the female to protect the eggs.

Cat worm has a red or yellow band on a black body

On the other hand, when exposed to this toxic gas, your eyes will be stinging, burning and need to be washed thoroughly or immediately go to the hospital for timely emergency.

In the application of Oriental medicine, the cat worm often breaks blood. Therefore, they have the effect of treating rabies dog bites, stillbirth or applied externally to treat boils and poisonous insects.

Signs of Ban Cat Worm Poisoning

When eating or drinking cat worms, you will often experience some symptoms of poisoning such as:

• Burning throat, stomach and intestinal pain;
• Burns of the gastrointestinal mucosa pose a risk of intestinal or anaerobic infections into the abdomen and blood;
• Nausea, vomiting blood, bloody diarrhea, the most severe is stomach bleeding;
• urinating less or urinating blood;
• For men, the erection will cause pain and discomfort for a long time;
• Severe thirst and dehydration leading to impaired kidney function;
• Multi-organ failure, respiratory failure, hypotension;
• Neurological symptoms leading to coma and death within 24 hours.
• In addition, skin contact can lead to severe burns and blisters, and the risk of developing an infection.

Stomach burning when poisoning worms

Why do so many people eat Ban Cat worms?

Since the time of ancient Greece and Rome, the powder of Ban Catworm, when combined with some other substances, can improve male physiology. Therefore, it is thought that if eaten deeply, it will help increase blood vessels in the perineal area. From there, they will cure erectile dysfunction.

However, many ancient characters died from abuse or improper processing of Ban Cat worms.

On the other hand, this species of worm has applications in traditional medicine. People use Ban Cat tincture as a diuretic and treat edema. But the toxicity of this worm is too high, so people absolutely do not process it on their own to avoid danger to life.

Cat worm is said to have the ability to improve male physiology

In addition, cat beetles are often confused with bugs because of their similar appearance. At some pubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In Ho Chi Minh City, the stink bug dish is considered a strange and delicious taste when used with beer.

Preventing Ban Catworm Poisoning

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, when poisoning with Ban Cat worms, you should use 8-12g Hoang Lien decoction combined with 8-10g licorice. However, most victims of catworm poisoning are often in a life-threatening condition with a mortality rate of over 50%. Therefore, you need to take the patient quickly to the nearest medical facility for timely treatment.

Besides, when catching Ban Cat worms, people need to carefully equip labor protection equipment such as rackets, cloth bags, gloves, face coverings, etc. This is a way to help you avoid the secretions of cats. The worm sticks to the body causing blistering and directly affects the respiratory system.

How to prevent cat worm poisoning?

Above is some useful information about the cat worm that Tnhelearning.edu.vn would like to share with you. Be careful and avoid consuming this worm so as not to affect the health of you and your family. Thanks for watching!

Source: Daily Health Page, Health and Life Newspaper

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