Severe mushroom poisoning is increasing

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MunichThey are finally sprouting again: the first mushrooms, boletus and chanterelles. And that drives thousands of mushroom pickers into the forests every year. But be careful: not every mushroom is suitable for the pan - some are even highly toxic. And apparently more and more people underestimate that, as current health insurance data show. Accordingly, the number of severe mushroom poisoning is increasing nationwide.

41 percent more inductions

Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting - anyone who suffers from such symptoms after a mushroom meal should call an emergency doctor immediately. It could be due to mushroom poisoning. In the past year alone, 34 people with mushroom poisoning were treated in the hospital, shows a current report by the German Employee Health Insurance Fund (DAK). And that is 41 percent more than in the previous year. The front runner was Bavaria with nine cases, six in Lower Saxony and four in North Rhine-Westphalia - not a single case was reported there in the previous year.

Dangerous half-knowledge

“For a long time, especially in southern Germany, many people were afraid that fungi could be radioactive,” says DAK doctor Elisabeth Thomas. But this worry is slowly disappearing. “I can only advise mushroom pickers to be very careful,” warns Thomas. The knowledge that many acquire in identification books or on the Internet is simply not enough to distinguish between edible mushrooms and their poisonous doppelgangers.

If poisoning is suspected, those affected should drink plenty of water and never experiment with medication on their own, the doctor advises. It is also advisable to bring leftover mushrooms with you to the hospital. (jb)

Source: Serious mushroom poisoning is increasing nationwide. Press release DAK Health. 02.09.2014.

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