Deceptive mushrooms and the most common causes of poisoning
“One of the main reasons people get poisoned by mushrooms is because they confuse their species when picking mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms, which I call impostor mushrooms, can sometimes look very similar to edible ones, so they can often confuse novice mushroom pickers and sometimes even experienced ones. One of such mushrooms is the greenish fly myrtle, which does not have white dots and can often resemble greenish mushrooms in appearance,” advises pharmacist E. Ramaškienė.
The pharmacist advises to avoid picking mushrooms that are old, overgrown or damaged. According to her, sometimes people think that if they cut off the damaged part of the mushroom, everything will be fine. However, this can be a direct path to poisoning and serious consequences.
“And of course, treat the mushrooms properly – cook or dry them responsibly. It is best to boil the mushrooms first, change the water and then cook for another 20 minutes. Also, avoid eating mushroom dishes the next day after cooking,” advises E. Ramaškienė.
What to do in case of mushroom poisoning?
“Every fall, mushrooms become the highlight of many of our dishes, but sometimes, if the mushroom is not recognized or processed incorrectly, it can lead to poisoning. The most common symptoms of poisoning are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, which can start just a few hours after eating mushrooms.
Sometimes the symptoms of mushroom poisoning can appear not after a few hours, but even the next day. In some cases, neurological symptoms may also appear, such as disturbances of consciousness, seizures or even hallucinations”, says E. Ramaškienė.
If there is the slightest suspicion of mushroom poisoning, the pharmacist advises to go to the doctor as soon as possible, who will assess the poisoning and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
“If you feel the symptoms of mushroom poisoning, do not start self-treatment at home. Do not use activated charcoal or anti-diarrheal medications. Instead, do not delay and go to a medical facility immediately.
Don’t forget – ignoring the symptoms of mushroom poisoning can be fatal,” says E. Ramaškienė.
2024-09-09 13:33:22