Can You Get Sick If You Eat a Cockroach?
WouterUnless you’ve had a very close encounter with cockroaches, it’s highly unlikely to become sick if you eat one. Cockroaches can carry various types of bacteria and fungi, but they are not actively harmful. Instead, they serve as passive vectors for harmful substances and can be a nuisance in some households. Cockroaches are eaten by many different cultures around the world.
When you eat a cockroach, you’re likely to ingest its eggs and larvae. German Cockroach eggs are about the size of a bean, and when they hatch, they’re smaller than an ant. Cockroach eggs can be carried into a home undetected, and can multiply for months without you noticing them. This is why it’s so important to keep an eye out for cockroach eggs, because they spread salmonella bacteria. In many cases, the symptoms of salmonella are short-lived, disappearing on their own after seven days without treatment. However, if you are prone to asthma, you should stay away from cockroaches, as the proteins found in them can trigger asthmatic episodes.
Children with asthma are also more likely to be exposed to cockroach allergens. In fact, a study found that 25 percent of children with asthma were exposed to cockroach allergens. Cockroach allergens can be found in dust collected in buildings, which can spread to people.
