Child after death cap poisoning
As reported by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, two weeks ago a child was admitted to the "Pomnik-Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka" Institute after being poisoned by the death cap mushroom. Due to the symptoms of poisoning, the child required treatment in the intensive care unit and a liver transplant. The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate emphasizes that this alarming event shows how important it is to be careful when collecting and consuming mushrooms. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the potential threat that eating the death cap mushroom may pose.
– Poisoning with this mushroom, leading to liver damage and then multiple organ failure, is often fatal. The only treatment in such cases is liver transplantation, if the patient can be diagnosed and prepared for the procedure quickly. We know how difficult it is to obtain organs for transplantation. We appeal to be very careful when collecting mushrooms and always make sure that we are certain about their identification – says prof. dr hab. n. med. Piotr Socha, head of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutritional Disorders and Pediatrics at the "Pomnik-Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka" Institute.
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Caution above all. A specialist will assess for free whether the mushrooms are edible
If we are not sure whether the mushrooms we have collected are edible, let's not risk it. In such a situation , it is best to bring them to the nearest sanitary-epidemiological station , where mushroom experts or mushroom classifiers are on duty. The specialist will assess for free whether the mushrooms are edible , inedible, or poisonous, as the Chief Sanitary Inspector, Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski, MD, reminds.
– As pediatricians, we remind you that mushrooms have no nutritional value, while consuming even a small amount in a child can lead to serious consequences, even death. Let's be vigilant, responsible and take care of our health and the health of our loved ones. Therefore, let's be careful about what we eat – emphasizes Dr. Marek Migdał, director of the "Pomnik-Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka" Institute.
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Types of help for mushroom picking enthusiasts
Many species of mushrooms grow in our forests, including poisonous, edible and inedible mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms are particularly dangerous, as they can cause fatal food poisoning, as GIS emphasizes.
Every year, GIS reminds us to only pick mushrooms that we know for sure and about which we have no doubts!
Mushroom picking requires knowledge and experience. If in doubt, you can seek help.
- Mushroom expert – has the authority to evaluate fresh and dried mushrooms.
- Mushroom classifier – authorized to evaluate only fresh mushrooms.
- Mushroom Atlas – contains detailed information about mushrooms, their habitats, and photos of individual species.
- Mobile applications – facilitate the identification of mushrooms via smartphone, available in the form of mobile mushroom atlases or identifying mushrooms based on a taken photo.
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Safe Mushroom Picking. What to Remember?
GIS has prepared several recommendations that may help in safe mushroom picking.
- If you are a beginner mushroom picker, stick to tubular mushrooms, those with a “mesh” on the underside of the cap.
- Avoid small specimens that do not yet have clearly visible species characteristics – they may be difficult to recognize properly.
- Collect mushrooms in a breathable basket or basket. In a plastic bag or bucket, mushrooms spoil very quickly and as a result, even edible species can harm your health.
Mushroom poisoning
The main cause of mushroom poisoning is the incorrect identification of edible and poisonous mushrooms and the inappropriate preparation of dishes from some edible mushrooms, as indicated by GIS.
"The first symptoms of mushroom poisoning may appear after a few hours of eating them, but depending on the type, symptoms of poisoning may appear even a dozen or so hours after eating them," reminds GIS.
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may be similar to those of indigestion or a gastrointestinal infection.
The most common symptoms of mushroom poisoning
The most common symptoms of mushroom poisoning include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach ache and headache
- increased body temperature
The most common and most dangerous poisonings are caused by eating the death cap mushroom, which is confused with such edible mushrooms as the parasol mushroom and the green gooseberry, as noted by GIS.
First aid for mushroom poisoning
What to do in case of mushroom poisoning?
- If you experience symptoms of poisoning after eating mushrooms, you should contact your doctor immediately. Anyone who ate the same meal should see a doctor, even if they don't have symptoms of poisoning.
- Vomiting may be induced.
- You should not drink milk or alcohol – these fluids accelerate the penetration of toxins into the bloodstream.
- Reacting too late and not providing proper treatment can lead to irreversible changes in the body and even death.
Who should avoid eating mushrooms?
As indicated by GIS, mushrooms should be avoided by:
- pregnant and breastfeeding women,
- kids,
- elderly people,
- people with gastrointestinal disorders.
