The National Health Security Agency (ANSES) calls on gatherers, amateurs or professionals, as well as consumers of mushrooms to be very vigilant in the face of the risk of poisoning. Three deaths have been reported this year.
What are the risks in case of ingestion?
The mushroom picking season is early this year. The weather conditions during the months of July and August were favorable to the growth of these plants. Picking mushrooms can be fun, but beware of the risks involved if a poisonous or poisonous species is picked, if the mushrooms are in poor condition or undercooked.
Between July 1 and August 29, 2021, ANSES has already identified 330 cases of intoxication, “ three of which are very serious and potentially life-threatening, and three deaths. The previous year, between July 1 and December 31, more than 1,300 people were poisoned, 29 people whose prognosis was threatened and five people died.
The press release also points out that the confusion with an edible species could be ” linked to the use of a digital mushroom recognition application », For a few cases only.
What are the symptoms of mushroom poisoning?
Before cooking and consuming the mushrooms, it is best to photograph the picking, separating each species, as advised by the Agency. Thus, the treatment chosen by the doctors could be more easily adapted. Symptoms can appear a few hours after consumption, but also appear 12 hours after.
The clinical signs suggesting poisoning after consuming mushrooms are mainly digestive, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Although in most cases poisonings are of low severity, a poison control center should be contacted immediately. If tremors, dizziness or vision disturbances appear, he should be contacted immediately.
Some poisonings can be much more serious and cause severe digestive problems, kidney complications or liver damage. In the event of vital distress, such as loss of consciousness, it is imperative to quickly contact 15 (Samu), 112 (emergency services) or 114 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing).
Note that it is recommended to ” note the times of the last meal (s), the time of onset of the first signs and keep the remains of the picking for identification », In case of symptoms.
Good practices to avoid poisoning with mushrooms
To prevent such poisoning, ANSES provides valuable advice, such as:
- pick only mushrooms that a person knows perfectly well;
- seek advice from a specialist before consuming mushrooms if in doubt;
- take the whole mushroom (stem and cap) and make sure it is in good condition;
- do not pick them near areas potentially subject to pollution;
- separate the cash and store it in a crate, box or basket in a refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Do not use a plastic bag, which accelerates rotting;
- make sure the mushrooms are well cooked, 20 to 30 minutes in a pan or 15 minutes in boiling water;
- never eat raw mushrooms;
- never give picked mushrooms to young children;
- do not consume a fungus identified by the sole means of a fungus recognition application on a smartphone, due to the high risk of error;
- avoid consuming marketed mushrooms ” on the fly “.
