It rained last week, and my father went to the back hill to pick a basket of 'little umbrellas' and stir-fried them, saying they were 'mountain delicacies.' As a result, all three family members ended up in the hospital with vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. The doctor said that if they had arrived any later, it could have damaged their liver and kidneys. This is the real experience of Ms. Lin from Lishui, Zhejiang, and such cases are not uncommon during the peak mushroom season from June to September each year. According to data from the National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, China sees over a thousand poisoning incidents annually due to accidental consumption of poisonous mushrooms, with nearly 30% of patients delaying treatment due to failure to identify poisoning symptoms in time, leaving lifelong health risks. Today, we will comprehensively analyze mushroom poisoning symptoms to help you build a strong food safety defense.
There are many types of poisonous mushrooms, and different species contain different toxic components, resulting in varying mushroom poisoning symptoms. However, based on onset time and core manifestations, they can be classified into the following categories. Understanding these characteristics can quickly determine the poisoning situation.
These symptoms are caused by mushrooms containing gastrointestinal toxins and are the most common mushroom poisoning symptoms, accounting for over 60% of all poisoning cases. Main manifestations include digestive system disorders: •Gastrointestinal reactions: Sudden nausea and vomiting, vomit mostly gastric contents, some mixed with bile; frequent abdominal pain, mainly periumbilical colic; severe diarrhea, mostly watery stools, some patients may have mucus stools or bloody stools. •Systemic accompanying symptoms: Dizziness, fatigue, cold sweats, some patients may have low-grade fever, generally between 37.5-38.5°C. Case reference: In July 2024, a man in Hefei, Anhui accidentally consumed 'white death cap' (initially containing mild gastrointestinal toxins) and experienced vomiting and diarrhea after 1 hour. After taking antidiarrheal medication on his own, symptoms improved, but he failed to seek timely medical attention, ultimately delaying subsequent treatment.
Caused by mushrooms containing neurotoxins (such as fly agaric, panther cap), in addition to gastrointestinal reactions, the core manifestation is abnormal neurological function. These mushroom poisoning symptoms are easily misdiagnosed as 'mental illness': •Central nervous symptoms: Intensified headache and dizziness, hallucinations (such as seeing small people, colorful patterns), delusions, some patients may have restlessness, incoherent speech, and other psychiatric manifestations. •Peripheral nervous symptoms: Constricted pupils, drooling, excessive sweating, blurred vision, severe cases may experience muscle twitching, limb numbness, and difficulty breathing.
These are the most dangerous mushroom poisoning symptoms, caused by mushrooms containing amatoxin (such as white death cap, gray-warted amanita). These mushrooms are extremely toxic with a mortality rate as high as 90%. Symptoms have a 'false recovery period' that is easily overlooked: •First stage (latency period): 6-24 hours after ingestion, may only show mild nausea and fatigue, some people have no obvious symptoms, easily mistaken for 'spoiled food.' •Second stage (false recovery period): Within 1-2 days, initial symptoms disappear, patients feel well, but toxins have already begun to damage the liver and kidneys. This stage is a critical window for treatment. •Third stage (damage outbreak period): Within 3-5 days, sudden onset of jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), darkening of urine (dark tea color), liver pain, oliguria or anuria, severe cases may experience liver failure, kidney failure, and even coma.
Once you or others show suspected mushroom poisoning symptoms, you must immediately adopt the three-step first aid method: 'stop eating - emergency vomiting - timely medical care.' Each step is crucial.
Immediately stop consuming remaining mushrooms. Whether the mushrooms are finished or not, properly preserve the remaining portion or mushroom residue in vomit, seal in a clean plastic bag, and label the consumption time. This can help doctors quickly determine the type of poisonous mushroom and prescribe accurate medication.
When the patient is conscious, immediately induce vomiting: have the patient drink 500-800 ml of warm water, then use fingers or chopsticks to stimulate the root of the tongue to induce vomiting. Repeat 2-3 times until the vomit is clear water. Note: If the patient has already shown coma, convulsions, or difficulty breathing, do not induce vomiting to avoid choking.
Send the patient to the nearest regular hospital as soon as possible, preferably one with blood purification capabilities. When seeking medical care, be sure to inform the doctor: the time of mushroom consumption, type (photos or samples are better), consumption amount, and the specific time and manifestations of mushroom poisoning symptoms. This information directly relates to treatment effectiveness.
No. Some poisonous mushrooms (such as white death cap) have an incubation period as long as 6-72 hours. Initially, they may only show mild discomfort or even no symptoms. Even if no mushroom poisoning symptoms appear immediately, as long as mushrooms of unknown origin have been consumed, it is recommended to observe for 72 hours and seek medical attention immediately if any abnormalities occur.
Completely unreliable. There is currently no scientific evidence that garlic or silverware can detect mushroom toxicity. Many highly toxic mushrooms show no reaction when in contact with garlic or silverware. Relying on sayings like 'brightly colored mushrooms are poisonous' or 'mushrooms eaten by insects are not poisonous' is also unreliable. The safest method is 'do not pick, do not buy, do not eat' wild mushrooms.
Not recommended. Diarrhea and vomiting are the body's natural reactions to expel toxins. Taking antidiarrheal medication on your own can cause toxins to accumulate in the body, worsening poisoning symptoms. Painkillers may mask the condition, affecting the doctor's judgment of mushroom poisoning symptoms and delaying treatment.
Elderly people, children, pregnant women, and those with liver or kidney dysfunction are at higher risk. These groups have weaker metabolic capacity and poor tolerance to toxins. After mushroom poisoning symptoms appear, the progression is faster and they are more prone to serious complications.
In summary, mushroom poisoning symptoms are diverse, ranging from mild gastrointestinal reactions to fatal liver and kidney damage. The key lies in 'early identification, early first aid, early medical care.' However, the most fundamental preventive measure is to remember the 'three no principles'—do not randomly pick wild mushrooms, do not buy mushrooms of unknown origin, and do not consume mushrooms that have not been confirmed safe.
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