Handling methods for ingesting moldy food by mistake

After ingesting moldy food, immediately stop eating and observe the body's reaction. Seek medical attention if necessary. Moldy food may contain harmful substances such as aflatoxins. Treatment methods mainly include inducing vomiting, replenishing water, adjusting diet, medication intervention, and medical support.

1. Vomiting

Within two hours of ingestion, attempt to induce vomiting to reduce toxin absorption. Stimulate the throat with fingers or tongue depressors to trigger vomiting reflex, rinse mouth multiple times after vomiting to remove oral residue. Infants, young children, and those with unclear consciousness are prohibited from inducing vomiting to avoid blockage of the airway by vomit. After inducing vomiting, it is necessary to observe whether there are continuous nausea or vomiting of blood and other abnormal conditions.

2. Supplement Water

Drink warm water or diluted salt water to accelerate metabolism, and maintain a daily water intake of at least 2000 milliliters. Moderate consumption of detoxifying beverages such as mung bean soup and licorice water is recommended. Avoid drinking alcoholic or caffeinated beverages to prevent an increase in liver burden. When diarrhea occurs, oral rehydration salts should be supplemented to prevent dehydration.

3. Diet adjustment

Choose low-fat and digestible foods such as rice soup and Mantou within 24 hours, and gradually increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables after resuming diet. Moderate consumption of citrus fruits rich in vitamin C and broccoli containing sulfur compounds can help detoxify the liver. Prohibit consumption of greasy, spicy, and high protein foods to reduce gastrointestinal irritation.

4. Medication intervention

Under the guidance of a doctor, montmorillonite powder can be taken to absorb intestinal toxins, and bifidobacteria can be used to regulate intestinal microbiota. When an allergic reaction occurs, follow the doctor's advice to take antihistamines such as loratadine. Do not self medicate with antidiarrheal drugs or antibiotics to avoid masking the condition or causing drug resistance.

5. Medical Support

If the abdominal pain persists for more than 6 hours or symptoms such as bloody stool and jaundice appear, seek medical attention immediately. Doctors may perform gastric lavage, and in severe cases, intravenous injection of antidotes such as glutathione is required. Long term ingestion of moldy food should result in liver function testing and, if necessary, liver protection treatment. Pregnant women and children with symptoms should seek medical attention first.

Daily food storage should be kept dry and ventilated, and grains and nuts should be sealed and refrigerated. Regularly check the shelf life of food, and discard moldy food as a whole without removing any moldy parts before consumption. It is recommended to learn about food safety knowledge and master the identification skills of moldy foods, such as yellow green mold spots on peanuts and softening and exudation of fruit skin. Before cooking, pay attention to checking the appearance and odor of the ingredients. If any abnormalities are found, stop eating immediately.