Mushroom Poisoning
Mushroom Poisoning in Children
Is it possible to tell if a wild mushroom is poisonous?
You can't tell for sure if a mushroom is poisonous by looking at it, unless you are an expert at identifying mushrooms. There are no tests to help you tell a poisonous mushroom from a nonpoisonous mushroom.
Does it help to see how the wild mushroom is growing?
Yes, a little. Mushrooms growing in the ground are more dangerous than mushrooms growing on living trees. Mushrooms on the ground in forests are usually more dangerous to people than mushrooms on lawns. See the drawing below for some signs that a mushroom may be dangerous:
Signs that a mushroom may be poisonous
What are the symptoms of mushroom poisoning?
Early symptoms of mushroom poisoning include feeling sick, stomach cramps, vomiting and watery or bloody diarrhea. Symptoms may show up right after the mushroom was eaten or may appear several hours later. If your child has any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away. Your child may need treatment.
What should I do if I think my child has eaten a wild mushroom?
Call your doctor or the Poison Control Center. If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or convulsing, call 9-1-1 immediately. The phone number for the Poison Control Center is 1-800-222-1222. This number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's a good idea to keep this number by your telephone at all times. You can also seek immediate medical attention by taking your child to the emergency room. Dig a few of the mushrooms up and take them with you to the doctor or the emergency room.
What will happen in my doctor's office or the emergency room?
If your child has thrown up, the worst is probably over. If he or she has not thrown up, your child may be given activated charcoal. Your child's temperature, heart rate and blood pressure will be checked. He or she will be watched closely for signs of mushroom poisoning. If your child has no symptoms of poisoning, and if the mushroom is identified as harmless, you and your child will probably be sent home. Your doctor will ask you to watch your child for any symptoms of mushroom poisoning for the next 24 hours.
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Reviewed/Updated: 11/06
Created: 09/00