Threatening poisoning These poisonous mushrooms are a deadly likelihood of confusion

Life-threatening poisoning by fungi: Experts warn of deadly duplicates

There are still relatively few mushrooms to be found in this country. But that could change in the coming weeks. Experts therefore already point to possible poisoning risks through self-collected mushrooms. There are many types that can harm your health.

Good growth opportunities for autumn mushrooms

September and October are actually regarded as the peak season for mushrooms in Germany. But the dry heat summer has limited fungal growth. Nevertheless, experts assume that the autumn mushrooms still have good growth opportunities in the coming weeks. After all, many types of fungi react to precipitation even after prolonged periods of drought and begin to grow: edible mushrooms as well as toadstools, which often differ in appearance from edible variants. In order to prevent dangerous and sometimes deadly poisoning, the German Liver Foundation advises caution when collecting Pilez.

Those who go mushroom picking in late summer and autumn should consult a mushroom expert before consuming the findings. Because food mushrooms have lethal doppelgängers. (Image: Vladimir Sazonov / fotolia.com)

Particularly vulnerable groups

"In the worst case, there is an organ failure after eating poisonous mushrooms," warns Professor. Michael P. Manns, CEO of the German Liver Foundation, in a statement.

"If the toxins are taken from the gastrointestinal tract and enter the liver via the bloodstream, it can lead to liver failure," says the expert.

According to reports, the number of fungal intoxications in 2017, when fungi grew well in June and July due to the warm, humid climate, has risen dramatically.

Even severe poisoning, which led to liver failure, there was more in the past year.

In addition to small children who pick and eat poisonous mushrooms while playing games and adults who confuse toadstools with edible native mushrooms, there is another group at risk: refugees and repatriates.

These people usually confuse the highly poisonous tuberous mushroom with edible mushrooms from the respective home countries.

Effect of dangerous toadstool after several hours

As a preventive measure, the Hannover Medical School (MHH), together with the Poison Information Center North and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Equality, provides information on tuber mushroom warning posters in nine different languages.

According to the information, the tuber-fungus is one of the most poisonous fungi in Germany and responsible for about 90 percent of all deadly fungal poisoning in Europe.

After eating the tuberous toadstool (it tastes very good, according to statements affected) symptoms occur only after a symptom-free period of six to 24 hours. If the poison is effective, it has already spread throughout the body.

Then severe severe diarrhea and vomiting persist for six to nine hours.

The poisons of the tuber-fungus, the so-called amatoxins, begin to destroy the liver about 24 hours after consumption.

Early diagnosis is extremely important

An early diagnosis is extremely important because the poisoning can be treated. With favorable course shows after seven to ten days, a complete decline in symptoms. There is then a complete cure.

However, in the worst case, poisoning by the toadstool fungus can lead to liver failure, so that only a liver transplant can save the patient's life.

"If there is even the suspicion of a fungus poisoning, the emergency doctor should urgently be called. The sooner you are diagnosed and treated, the greater the chances of recovery, "says Professor Manns.

"Increases in liver and kidney levels are signs of systemic intoxication. To prove the fungal toxin and thus to facilitate diagnosis, the remains of the fungus and the vomit should be picked up and passed on to the ambulance. "

Alleged traits for non-toxicity can be misleading

The expert appeals to all mushroom pickers to eat found mushrooms only if they are absolutely sure after many years of experience and with sound knowledge that they are edible mushrooms.

Inexperienced mushroom pickers should always consult a fungus expert before eating.

Alleged characteristics for the non-toxicity of mushrooms such as maggot or snail attack are misleading according to Professor Manns:

"Snails, for example, do not get liver damage from amatoxins because they have no 'right' liver, their central metabolic organ is the midgut gland." (Ad)