500 percent more mushroom poisoning

500 percent more mushroom poisoning: Especially women are affected by acute intoxication by fungi.

According to the German employees health insurance DAK is in August alone, an increase of over 500 percent recorded in the mushroom poisoning. About twice as many women as men were affected.

At DAK, the number of hospitalizations due to acute fungal poisoning has increased dramatically this year. Nationwide, 42 people had to be admitted to a clinic due to fungal poisoning. In August alone, 31 people - about five times more than in the same period of the previous year - had to undergo inpatient treatment for poisoning. In the last year alone, there were just 42 people who needed medical treatment in the hospital. It is striking that especially women poisoned. Twice as many women as men have contracted mushroom poisoning this August alone. Almost twice as many women poisoned as men in the entire past year.

In Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg poisoned most collectors
Many people poisoned mushrooms, especially in the federal states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg (seven in total). In the states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt (four cases per province), the mushroom poisoning was so severe that they had to be treated in a clinic.

Good fungal weather and inexperience are the reasons for the massive increase in fungal poisoning
The reason for the massive increase in mushroom poisoning could be the warm, humid summer, which caused the mushrooms to grow massively and attracted many inexperienced collectors. It was this inexperience that led some patients to collect and eat the highly poisonous tuberous mushroom. Even a small amount of the fungus leads to acute liver failure and can lead to death. The Kegelhütige Knollenblätterpilz is confounded above all in the early growth station with the forest and meadows Champignon. The poison of the fungus damages the liver and kidneys in a special way and poisoning can not be treated if it is detected too late. Many patients had to undergo a liver transplant.

Complaints of a mushroom poisoning
First symptoms of fungal poisoning can be discomfort and nausea and vomiting. Anyone who feels such symptoms after consuming mushrooms should definitely call an ambulance. Only with a fast medical care the health consequences of a mushroom poisoning can be reduced. A doctor should also be contacted if the symptoms ease again. Because that too can be a typical symptom of a fungus poisoning. The DAK strongly advises against eating unknown mushrooms. Those who are not sure, should only with very experienced mushroom pickers go in search of the woods. (sb, 19.10.2010)

Also read:
Mushroom poisoning: collectors poisoned themselves in Berlin
Naturopathy: mushrooms as medicine
Mushroom poisoning increases dramatically

Picture: Rita Köhler