How to prepare for mushroom picking?
- appropriate clothing: a sweatshirt or jacket, trousers with long legs, a rain cape, wellington boots or shoes with higher uppers, and a cap or hat – these will protect us from moisture and insect and viper bites;
- a mushroom basket, preferably wicker – in a plastic bag, mushrooms begin to steam, which encourages them to spoil;
- a knife for cleaning mushrooms – when picking mushrooms, gently twist them out of the ground, then clean away any remaining leaf litter with the knife;
- insect repellent – provides additional protection against mosquitoes and ticks.
Mushroom poisoning
The main cause of mushroom poisoning is incorrectly identifying edible and poisonous mushrooms and improperly preparing dishes made from certain edible mushrooms. The first symptoms of mushroom poisoning may appear just a few hours after eating them; however, depending on the type, symptoms can occur even several hours after consumption.
What are the most common symptoms of mushroom poisoning?
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- stomach and headache,
- increased body temperature.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning may be similar to those of indigestion or a gastrointestinal infection. The variety of mushroom-poisoning symptoms results from the presence of different toxins in different species. The types of symptoms and their intensity depend on the body's predisposition and the amount of toxins consumed.
How to provide first aid?
- If signs of poisoning appear after eating mushrooms, medical assistance should be provided immediately: contact the emergency number 999 or 112, or take the patient to hospital.
- While waiting for medical assistance, vomiting may be induced.
- A person showing symptoms of poisoning should not be given milk or alcohol, as these fluids accelerate the absorption of toxins into the bloodstream.
How is mushroom poisoning treated?
Very often, patients do not associate their ailments with eating mushrooms and disregard the symptoms. A delayed response and lack of appropriate treatment can lead to irreversible changes in the body or even death. Treatment consists of gastric lavage, administering activated charcoal, and replenishing fluids and electrolytes. Symptomatic treatment is also used.
The most common and most dangerous poisonings are caused by eating the death cap mushroom, which is confused with edible mushrooms such as the parasol mushroom and the green russula. Hospitalization in cases of poisoning lasts from several to more than a dozen weeks, and all people who ate the mushroom dish should undergo examination and treatment, not only those showing symptoms of poisoning.
Who should not eat mushrooms?
Eating mushrooms is not recommended for:
- pregnant and breastfeeding women,
- children,
- older people,
- people with gastrointestinal disorders.