{"id":182519,"date":"2022-07-16T08:15:02","date_gmt":"2022-07-16T08:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/"},"modified":"2022-07-16T08:15:02","modified_gmt":"2022-07-16T08:15:02","slug":"is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Is touching a slug dangerous?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Is_touching_a_slug_dangerous\" title=\"Is touching a slug dangerous?\">Is touching a slug dangerous?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Are_slugs_toxic_to_humans\" title=\"Are slugs toxic to humans?\">Are slugs toxic to humans?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Are_garden_slugs_dangerous\" title=\"Are garden slugs dangerous?\">Are garden slugs dangerous?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#What_happens_if_I_accidentally_touch_a_slug\" title=\"What happens if I accidentally touch a slug?\">What happens if I accidentally touch a slug?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_you_get_sick_from_handling_slugs\" title=\"Can you get sick from handling slugs?\">Can you get sick from handling slugs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_slugs_make_you_sick\" title=\"Can slugs make you sick?\">Can slugs make you sick?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Is_it_OK_to_touch_a_slug\" title=\"Is it OK to touch a slug?\">Is it OK to touch a slug?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#What_happens_if_a_human_eats_a_slug\" title=\"What happens if a human eats a slug?\">What happens if a human eats a slug?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_you_get_sick_from_touching_a_slug\" title=\"Can you get sick from touching a slug?\">Can you get sick from touching a slug?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Are_slugs_dangerous_to_touch\" title=\"Are slugs dangerous to touch?\">Are slugs dangerous to touch?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#How_dangerous_is_a_slug\" title=\"How dangerous is a slug?\">How dangerous is a slug?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_slug_slime_harm_you\" title=\"Can slug slime harm you?\">Can slug slime harm you?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Why_you_shouldnt_touch_slugs\" title=\"Why you shouldn&#8217;t touch slugs?\">Why you shouldn&#8217;t touch slugs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_you_get_a_disease_from_touching_a_slug\" title=\"Can you get a disease from touching a slug?\">Can you get a disease from touching a slug?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_slugs_infect_humans\" title=\"Can slugs infect humans?\">Can slugs infect humans?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_you_get_sick_from_handling_snails\" title=\"Can you get sick from handling snails?\">Can you get sick from handling snails?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Why_shouldnt_you_touch_slugs\" title=\"Why shouldnt you touch slugs?\">Why shouldnt you touch slugs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Are_slugs_harmful_to_humans\" title=\"Are slugs harmful to humans?\">Are slugs harmful to humans?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#What_are_the_symptoms_of_lungworm_in_humans\" title=\"What are the symptoms of lungworm in humans?\">What are the symptoms of lungworm in humans?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#What_happens_when_you_touch_a_slug\" title=\"What happens when you touch a slug?\">What happens when you touch a slug?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#What_happens_if_you_accidentally_touch_a_slug\" title=\"What happens if you accidentally touch a slug?\">What happens if you accidentally touch a slug?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Are_slugs_poisonous_to_humans_if_eaten\" title=\"Are slugs poisonous to humans if eaten?\">Are slugs poisonous to humans if eaten?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_slugs_make_humans_sick\" title=\"Can slugs make humans sick?\">Can slugs make humans sick?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_you_swallow_a_slug\" title=\"Can you swallow a slug?\">Can you swallow a slug?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-touching-a-slug-dangerous-2\/#Can_touching_a_slug_hurt_you\" title=\"Can touching a slug hurt you?\">Can touching a slug hurt you?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_touching_a_slug_dangerous\"><\/span>Is touching a slug dangerous?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>According to experts at The Centers for Disease Control, Most infections of A. cantonensis resolve spontaneously over time without specific treatment because the parasite cannot survive long in the human body. However, <b>most people who come into contact with slugs suffer no ill effects<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_slugs_toxic_to_humans\"><\/span>Are slugs toxic to humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While slugs are slimy and damaging to plants, <b>they are not poisonous to humans. However, some of them may carry diseases and parasites, such as the rat lungworm, that can be dangerous to other animals and us.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_garden_slugs_dangerous\"><\/span>Are garden slugs dangerous?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It may be a surprise, but <b>slugs can cause harm. The slimy mucus that slugs produce can cause excess drool or vomiting in pets like cats and dogs if ingested. Even worse, some slugs carry a parasite called rat lungworm which can transfer into your pet if they eat a slug.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_I_accidentally_touch_a_slug\"><\/span>What happens if I accidentally touch a slug?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>According to experts at The Centers for Disease Control, Most infections of A. cantonensis resolve spontaneously over time without specific treatment because the parasite cannot survive long in the human body. However, <b>most people who come into contact with slugs suffer no ill effects<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_get_sick_from_handling_slugs\"><\/span>Can you get sick from handling slugs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>They do not produce toxins which will cause us harm when ingested. However, this does not mean ingesting a slug is safe. Some slugs carry certain parasites inside them. These include Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a nematode native to Asia, but which has spread to regions of America, Africa and Australia.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_slugs_make_you_sick\"><\/span>Can slugs make you sick?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Wash Your Raw Veggies, People, Because <b>Slugs Can Make You Sick, CDC Warns. It&#8217;s rare, but snails and slugs can carry a parasite called rat lungworm, which, honestly, is a pretty gross but entirely appropriate name for this organism.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_OK_to_touch_a_slug\"><\/span>Is it OK to touch a slug?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mollusks like slugs are <b>generally harmless to handle, but they can carry parasites that can transmit to people via accidental ingestion on unwashed produce.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_a_human_eats_a_slug\"><\/span>What happens if a human eats a slug?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The culprit, doctors said, was a parasite in the slug called a rat lungworm, which <b>can burrow into the human brain. Ballard isn&#8217;t alone, or even the only person infected on a dareat least three reported cases involve boys or young men who were dared to eat a slug or snail.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_get_sick_from_touching_a_slug\"><\/span>Can you get sick from touching a slug?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The study found that the parasitic nematode, or worm, is common in Hawaii and has been sporadically found in the Southeastern United States. <b>Rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis, can be transmitted between mollusks &#8212; like snails and slugs &#8212; and rats, and it can make humans sick<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_slugs_dangerous_to_touch\"><\/span>Are slugs dangerous to touch?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mollusks like slugs are <b>generally harmless to handle, but they can carry parasites that can transmit to people via accidental ingestion on unwashed produce.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_dangerous_is_a_slug\"><\/span>How dangerous is a slug?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Wash Your Raw Veggies, People, Because <b>Slugs Can Make You Sick, CDC Warns. It&#8217;s rare, but snails and slugs can carry a parasite called rat lungworm, which, honestly, is a pretty gross but entirely appropriate name for this organism.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_slug_slime_harm_you\"><\/span>Can slug slime harm you?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The study found that the parasitic nematode, or worm, is common in Hawaii and has been sporadically found in the Southeastern United States. <b>Rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis, can be transmitted between mollusks &#8212; like snails and slugs &#8212; and rats, and it can make humans sick<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_you_shouldnt_touch_slugs\"><\/span>Why you shouldn&#8217;t touch slugs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It has been shown that <b>slug slime may carry a very small number of parasites in comparison with the body of the slug itself. Ingestion of a few parasites could possibly cause an infection, but it would probably be relatively mild. There are no studies that support an infection could be caused by skin contact.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_get_a_disease_from_touching_a_slug\"><\/span>Can you get a disease from touching a slug?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Infected slugs and snails also transmit rat lungworms to humans. All known cases of rat lungworm disease are linked to slug and snail contact. Slugs and snails can contaminate garden produce with rat lungworm parasites.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_slugs_infect_humans\"><\/span>Can slugs infect humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Some children, in particular, have gotten infected by swallowing snails\/slugs on a dare.  <b>People also can get infected by accident, by eating raw produce (such as lettuce) that contains a small snail or slug or part of one<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_get_sick_from_handling_snails\"><\/span>Can you get sick from handling snails?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The study found that the parasitic nematode, or worm, is common in Hawaii and has been sporadically found in the Southeastern United States. <b>Rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis, can be transmitted between mollusks &#8212; like snails and slugs &#8212; and rats, and it can make humans sick<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_shouldnt_you_touch_slugs\"><\/span>Why shouldnt you touch slugs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Contamination of the hands during the preparation of uncooked snails or slugs could also lead to ingestion of the parasite. People who handle snails or slugs while gardening should wash their hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_slugs_harmful_to_humans\"><\/span>Are slugs harmful to humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While slugs are slimy and damaging to plants, <b>they are not poisonous to humans. However, some of them may carry diseases and parasites, such as the rat lungworm, that can be dangerous to other animals and us.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_symptoms_of_lungworm_in_humans\"><\/span>What are the symptoms of lungworm in humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The study found that the parasitic nematode, or worm, is common in Hawaii and has been sporadically found in the Southeastern United States. <b>Rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis, can be transmitted between mollusks &#8212; like snails and slugs &#8212; and rats, and it can make humans sick<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_when_you_touch_a_slug\"><\/span>What happens when you touch a slug?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When symptoms are present, they can include <b>severe headache and stiffness of the neck, tingling or painful feelings in the skin or extremities, low-grade fever, nausea, and vomiting. Sometimes, a temporary paralysis of the face may also be present, as well as light sensitivity.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_you_accidentally_touch_a_slug\"><\/span>What happens if you accidentally touch a slug?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>According to experts at The Centers for Disease Control, Most infections of A. cantonensis resolve spontaneously over time without specific treatment because the parasite cannot survive long in the human body. However, <b>most people who come into contact with slugs suffer no ill effects<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_slugs_poisonous_to_humans_if_eaten\"><\/span>Are slugs poisonous to humans if eaten?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The belief that slugs are poisonous or toxic has become widespread. An animal is considered poisonous if it causes considerable harm when swallowed, often through the mouth but also through the skin. In this sense, <b>slugs are not poisonous. They don&#8217;t release toxins that can harm us if we eat them.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_slugs_make_humans_sick\"><\/span>Can slugs make humans sick?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Wash Your Raw Veggies, People, Because <b>Slugs Can Make You Sick, CDC Warns. It&#8217;s rare, but snails and slugs can carry a parasite called rat lungworm, which, honestly, is a pretty gross but entirely appropriate name for this organism.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_swallow_a_slug\"><\/span>Can you swallow a slug?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>In 2010, a teenage rugby player in Australia named Sam Ballard accepted an unusual dare at a party: swallow a live garden slug. The experience left him paralyzed and with significant brain damage, and on Friday (Nov. 2), Ballard died in a Sydney hospital at the age of 28.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_touching_a_slug_hurt_you\"><\/span>Can touching a slug hurt you?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>According to experts at The Centers for Disease Control, Most infections of A. cantonensis resolve spontaneously over time without specific treatment because the parasite cannot survive long in the human body. However, <b>most people who come into contact with slugs suffer no ill effects<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Is touching a slug dangerous?Are slugs toxic to humans?Are garden slugs dangerous?What happens if I accidentally touch a slug?Can you get sick from handling slugs?Can slugs make you sick?Is it OK to touch a slug?What happens if a human eats a slug?Can you get sick from touching a slug?Are slugs dangerous to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[622],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-182519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-care"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182519"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182519"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182519\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}