Health recommendations

The interest in mushrooms has increased significantly in recent years, and more and more people are going out into the woods to pick their own mushrooms, often indiscriminately. This means that almost every year there are cases of poisoning caused by the inexperience or lack of a minimum knowledge of mushrooms among the people who gather them.

Many species of edible mushroom can be found in Catalonia, some with considerable culinary interest and others that are toxic and may even be deadly. There are approximately a hundred toxic mushrooms, the majority very well known, but it is never possible to say that we know everything; throughout the history we have seen how it has been shown that some mushrooms that were highly appreciated are now considered to be toxic.

There are no general rules or tests to distinguish between toxic and edible mushrooms. The only way to be sure a mushroom is edible is through the correct identification of the species and this is only acquired through knowledge and expertise.

Popular tradition and folklore should be ignored in this case. Tests such as the blackening of garlic, potatoes or a silver spoon simply do not work.

It is also untrue that mushrooms eaten by snails or other animals are not toxic. Mushrooms, like other plants, may be toxic for humans and not for snails or other animals.

When the first symptoms of intoxication appear, immediately go to a hospital so that the person affected can receive suitable medical treatment. If possible, take samples of the mushrooms which you think may be the cause of the poisoning, either waste from the preparation or leftovers after cooking. This will allow experts to identify the species causing the poisoning and so be able to apply an effective treatment.

If more than one person has eaten the mushrooms, all the others, even though they may not show symptoms of poisoning, should also receive medical attention.

Symptoms will vary according to the species which has caused the poisoning. One or more of the following symptoms may appear: stomach pains, cold sweat, painful and continued vomiting, fetid and abundant diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse, deliriums, alternating periods of anxiety and calm. The symptoms that are characteristic of each species are described in the section on the main toxic mushrooms.

The first symptoms of poisoning may appear soon after having eaten the mushrooms (normally between half an hour and three hours) or even later. More serious cases of poisoning, particularly that caused by the Death Cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides), may appear after 8 to 10 hours or even later; therefore, the fact that the symptoms take time to become apparent is an indication that the poisoning may be very serious.

When the first symptoms appear, even if they appear unimportant, one should still go to a hospital immediately. The efficiency of any treatment greatly depends on how quickly medical care is given.