Every year, numerous mushrooms sprout from the forest floors, just waiting to be picked. In addition to the edible chanterelles, porcini and button mushrooms, poisonous mushrooms such as the death cap mushroom are also lurking in the forest. It is one of the most poisonous mushrooms in Germany and is often confused with the button mushroom. But how do you recognize him? And what are the symptoms of poisoning?
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This is what makes the death cap mushroom so dangerous
Three types of death cap mushrooms
- the green death cap mushroom
- the white death cap mushroom
- the yellow death cap mushroom
The white and green death cap mushrooms are particularly deadly poisonous. In addition to the poison Amanitin, they also contain phallotoxins. The former is severely damaging to oranges. However, the fungus does not taste unpleasant or poisonous. Consuming as little as 50 grams can be deadly as the poison cannot be destroyed by heating.
symptoms of poisoning
The first symptoms only appear eight to twelve hours after consumption. The phallotoxins get into the bloodstream and it occurs too
- colicky abdominal pain,
- watery diarrhea and
- Vomit.
Patients often suffer from hypovolemic shock, which can be treated by drinking enough fluids and electrolytes. Patients often recover after three to four days.
Severe damage and organ failure
Although patients have recovered within a few days, the Amanitin is now taking effect. It acts mainly on the liver and kidneys.
It comes to:
- Jaundice (Ikertus)
- kidney failure
- Internal bleeding
- Increase in liver enzymes and urinary substances
What to do if you suspect poisoning?
1. Seek medical help
If you experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea after eating mushrooms, you should contact a doctor or the poison control center as a precaution and drive directly to the hospital.
2. Securing
Mushroom Leftovers To determine the trigger later, save leftover mushrooms, the meal, or even vomit.
Mushroom Leftovers To determine the trigger later, save leftover mushrooms, the meal, or even vomit.
Identify the death cap mushroom
With this checklist you can recognize the death cap mushroom:
- The stem is about 15 cm long.
- It has a round bulb and a white, sack-like wreath.
- The hat is green, yellow, sometimes pale green, olive green, white, tan, or mottled.
- The hat is about 6 to 15 cm wide and has a scalloped edge.
- The stalk of the fungus is often hidden around the tree on which it grows.
- The white lamellae under the cap are crowded together and do not quite reach the stem.
- The death cap mushroom smells slightly of rose petals.
