Autumn is the time of year when people take to the woods and fields to forage for wild mushrooms. While many species of wild fungi are tasty and safe, others contain deadly poisons and can be easily mistaken for the edible varieties. Potassium supplementation is required in many cases of mushroom poisoning, as important electrolytes like potassium are lost because of gastrointestinal illness. Mushroom poisoning can be fatal, and requires hospitalization in many cases. Contact your doctor and/or local hospital as soon as possible.
Poisonous Fungi
Mushroom poisoning occurs most often in children and animals who ingest mushrooms found growing in lawns and fields. However, many cases occur each year when novice mushroom hunters mistakenly identify a toxic mushroom as an edible one. According to an article published in "The Telegraph" in September, 2011, journalist Stephen Adams reported 130 people received treatment or advice for mushroom poisoning in the United Kingdom in 2011. Some wild mushrooms that may cause poisoning include jack-o'-lantern mushrooms, amanita mushrooms, green gill mushrooms, pink gill mushrooms, clitocybe mushrooms and some species of boletes and agaricus. Many of these mushrooms cause gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which results in electrolyte loss, dehydration and low potassium levels in the blood.
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia, the medical name for dangerously low blood levels of potassium, can occur following the ingestion of a toxic or poisonous mushroom. Physical reactions to mushroom poisons, including diarrhea and vomiting, remove potassium from the body and can lead to serious side effects. According to "Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 6th Edition," signs and symptoms of low potassium levels include depression, weakness, confusion and heart problems. In an article published in "Annals of Emergency Medicine" in 1991, doctors from Cook County Hospital and Medical Center in the USA reported that one in seven people treated for jack-o'-lantern mushroom poisoning had to be treated with potassium supplementation. If you experience signs of low potassium, seek medical attention immediately.
Medical Treatment
Potassium and electrolytes can be restored to normal levels usually through supplementation and following a high-potassium diet. According to the "USDA National Nutrient Database," the top 15 high-potassium foods include tomato paste, orange juice, beet greens, white beans, dates, condensed milk, tomato puree, seedless raisins, baked potatoes, grapefruit juice, trail mix snacks, soy beans, lima beans and french fries. In emergency cases, potassium may have to be restored intravenously. Seek out medical advice from your doctor and/or local hospital if you require potassium supplementation and suspect mushroom poisoning to be a causative factor.
Safety and Risk Factors
When foraging for wild mushrooms, make sure to identify the species correctly and be aware of poisonous and edible mushrooms that may resemble each other. Mushrooms should always be cooked, though this will not remove toxins from poisonous species. When in doubt, leave the mushroom alone altogether, or consult with an expert mycologist. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some mushrooms are edible and safe unless they are taken alongside alcohol. If you have ingested a poisonous mushroom, take samples of the mushroom with you to the hospital and seek treatment. The sooner your condition is treated medically, the less likely you will suffer from liver damage, kidney failure, dehydration and death.
References
- "The Telegraph"; 130 Poisoned by Wild Mushrooms; Stephen Adams; September, 2011
- "Mosby's Medical Dictionary"; Mosby; 2002
- USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Potassium, K (mg ) Content of Selected Foods per Common Measure, sorted by nutrient content
- "RogersMushrooms": Poisoning -- Common Symptoms and What to Do
- "FDA"; BBB -- Mushroom toxins; 2009
- "Annals of Emergency Medicine"; Jack o'Lantern Mushroom Poisoning; Vanden Hoek TL, et al.; 1991
