Causes and Risks:

• A neurotoxin (affects the nervous system) found in the dinoflagellate.

Where Found:

• mussels
• clams
• oysters
• scallops

Symptoms:

• body as a whole
  • numbness or tingling around the mouth, lips, tongue, and face
  • muscle weakness
  • paralysis of the legs and/or arms
  • lightheadedness
• respiratory
  • stop breathing
• gastrointestinal
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal cramps

Home Treatment: None. Call Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Call Poison Control: They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital.
Bring the contaminated shellfish with you to the emergency room if so instructed.

What To Expect: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Give a cathartic (a bowel evacuator).
• Open and maintain an airway if needed.
• Treat the symptoms.

Survival past 12 hours usually indicates recovery is likely.
Only a small percentage of people actually die from eating contaminated shellfish.