Can Toads Be Eaten? An Analysis of the Safety of Eating Toads

The toad, commonly known as the warty toad, looks very much like a frog but has rougher skin than a frog. It is a poisonous animal, with the toxins mainly concentrated in the head, parotid glands, skin glands, liver and ovaries. These parts secrete a substance called "digitalis," and if the toad is improperly processed or handled, the toxin may enter the toad meat. Once a person ingests this toxin, symptoms such as dizziness, headache, vomiting and diarrhea can occur, and in severe cases it may even lead to death.

Can toads be eaten?

Toads can be eaten. Toads are highly nutritious and can also be used as medicine. Their nutritional value is much higher than that of frogs, and they are quite rich in protein. They can be stir-fried and eaten directly, and are more suitable for men, as they have a certain aphrodisiac effect. However, they are a cooling-natured food, so women had best not eat them, and pregnant women in particular must not eat them. They also have the effects of stopping bleeding and relieving pain, and of clearing heat and detoxifying, so they can be eaten in larger amounts, especially in summer.

However, because toads are poisonous, they should not be eaten casually. In clinical practice, although deaths from toad poisoning are not common, attention should still be paid to them. The incubation period of the clinical manifestations of toad poisoning is 0.5 to 1 hour, with the main symptoms being dizziness, sweating, numbness of the lips and limbs, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, shock, chest tightness, palpitations and so on, and severe cases may lead to respiratory and circulatory failure. If toad venom accidentally gets into the eyes, it can also cause redness and swelling of the eyes and even blindness.

If discomfort occurs after accidentally eating a toad and being poisoned, one should immediately drink strong tea or warm boiled water, and then induce vomiting. After the eyes or skin are contaminated with the venom, they can be rinsed with warm boiled water or gromwell juice. If shock occurs, lie flat immediately, keep warm, and perform artificial respiration as soon as possible. After emergency treatment, send the person to hospital for medical treatment immediately.

Toads should be used under the guidance of a doctor

Toads, along with scorpions, venomous snakes, centipedes and spiders, are listed among the "Five Poisons." Their toxicity lies in the poisonous white liquid secreted by the post-auricular glands and skin glands, called toad venom. After drying, it can be used as medicine and is a precious traditional Chinese medicinal material. When used in appropriate amounts, toad venom has a wide range of medicinal value, but once used improperly, it becomes a deadly poison, causing rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia and even cardiac arrest.

Cases of poisoning from eating toads

In June 2013, Mr. Hu, who lives in Luxian County, Luzhou, spent 29 yuan to buy some toads (commonly known as warty toads), keeping some in a bag and stir-frying the rest after washing them. Less than 3 hours after the meal, Mr. Hu developed symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and chest tightness, and was sent to hospital for emergency rescue. One hour later, Mr. Hu died despite rescue efforts.

In January 2014, four children in Lanxiu Village, Mutang Town, Danzhou City, accidentally ate toads while playing, resulting in toad poisoning with symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. They were subsequently sent to hospital for emergency treatment. One of the children died despite rescue efforts, while the other three were basically out of danger after treatment.