injuries and poisoning
Mushroom (Toadstool) Poisoning
Introduction
Many species of mushroom are poisonous and can cause different symptoms depending on the type of mushroom. Different species of mushrooms produce different toxins with different effects. Even within the same species, the potential for poisoning may vary at different times of the growing season and with cooking. It is difficult even for knowledgeable people to differentiate poisonous from nonpoisonous mushrooms—folklore rules are unreliable. Because it can be hard to identify the mushroom people ate, doctors usually just treat people based on their symptoms. (See also Overview of Poisoning .) All poisonous mushrooms cause vomiting and abdominal pain. Other symptoms vary greatly depending on mushroom type. Generally, mushrooms that cause symptoms early (within 2 hours) of ingestion are less dangerous than those that cause symptoms only later (usually after 6 hours). Mushrooms that cause symptoms early (within 2 hours) of ingestion are usually less dangerous than those that cause symptoms only later (after about 6 hours) 