What are the rules of safe mushroom picking?

  • Collect only mushroom species that you know well.
  • Do not collect very young fruiting bodies that have not developed the characteristics of a given species – they are the most common cause of tragic mistakes.
  • Do not collect mushrooms that are too old and overripe, as they may cause nonspecific food poisoning.
  • Do not destroy any mushrooms, even poisonous ones, because they are needed in the forest ecosystem!
  • Collect mushrooms exclusively in wicker baskets or chip baskets that allow air to circulate.
  • Plastic bags cause mushrooms to steam and also accelerate their spoilage!
  • Do not collect mushrooms growing in ditches, on the edge of a forest or near waste dumps, because mushrooms absorb heavy metals from their surroundings!
  • When picking mushrooms, twist them out of the ground, then cover the resulting “hole” with soil (this prevents the mycelium from drying out). Removing the entire fruiting body is essential for identifying the mushroom, because many morphological features are found on its stem.
  • Mushroom dishes are hard to digest, so serving them to children and older people is not recommended.

Sanitary inspection:

Remember!
  • Mushroom picking requires knowledge and experience.
  • Collect only mushrooms you are completely certain about.
  • If you have any doubts about the mushroom species, do not take the risk!

How to prepare for mushroom picking?

  • appropriate clothing: a sweatshirt or jacket, trousers with long legs, a rain cape, rubber boots or high-top shoes, 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 promotes spoilage;
  • a knife for cleaning mushrooms – when picking mushrooms, gently twist them out of the ground and use the knife to remove any remaining forest litter;
  • an insect repellent – it provides additional protection against mosquitoes and ticks.

What should you do if mushroom poisoning occurs?

The main cause of mushroom poisoning is the incorrect identification of edible and poisonous mushrooms and the improper preparation of dishes made from some edible mushrooms.

The State District Sanitary Inspector in Bolesławiec:

The first symptoms of mushroom poisoning may appear just a few hours after eating them; however, depending on the type, symptoms may occur even several hours after consumption.

The most common symptoms of mushroom poisoning:

  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • stomach and headache,
  • elevated body temperature.

In mushroom poisoning, the symptoms may resemble indigestion or a gastrointestinal infection.

The variety of mushroom-poisoning symptoms results from the presence of different toxins in individual varieties. The types and severity of symptoms depend on the body’s predispositions and the amount of toxins consumed.

How to provide first aid in the event of poisoning?

  • If signs of poisoning appear after eating mushrooms, medical assistance must be obtained immediately: call the emergency number 999 or 112, or take the affected person to hospital.
  • While waiting for medical help, vomiting may be induced.
  • A person showing symptoms of poisoning should not be given milk or alcohol, because these liquids accelerate the absorption of toxins into the bloodstream.

Important information about treatment

  • Very often, patients do not associate their symptoms with having eaten mushrooms and downplay them.
  • A reaction that is too late and a lack of appropriate treatment may lead to irreversible changes in the body or even death.
  • Treatment consists of gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal, and replenishment of 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 mistaken for edible mushrooms such as the parasol mushroom and the green brittlegill.
  • Hospitalization in cases of poisoning lasts from several to a dozen or so weeks, and all people who ate the mushroom dish should be examined and treated, not only those who have symptoms of poisoning.

Eating mushrooms is not recommended for:

  • pregnant and breastfeeding women,
  • children,
  • older people,
  • people with gastrointestinal disorders.

The State Sanitary Inspection employs mushroom classifiers who have extensive knowledge of mushrooms. Their advice is available free of charge whenever we want to make sure that the specimens we have collected are safe for our health.

Sanitary inspection:

Remember that only fresh mushrooms, twisted out of the ground whole, should be brought for identification!

The main cause of mushroom poisoning is their incorrect identification as edible or poisonous.