Mushroom Poisoning Resources

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Edible or Poisonous?

There is no quick and easy test that will separate edible from poisonous mushrooms. Identify each and every mushroom you collect, and only eat those whose identification you are absolutely sure of. When in doubt, throw it out. Seek medical assistance immediately if you suspect mushroom poisoning of any kind.

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Any amount of any poisonous mushroom is considered to be very dangerous. Please call the Poison Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone ingests any part of a mushroom picked from a yard or the woods that has not been properly identified. If you have any pieces of the actual mushroom that was eaten you will be asked to save it in a brown paper bag. Many mushrooms can look identical but be very different.

1-800-222-1222

is the telephone number for every poison center in the United States. Call this number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk to a poison expert. Call right away if you have a poison emergency. Also call if you have a question about a poison or about poison prevention.

Poisonous Mushrooms Poster from the Oregon Health & Science University
Poisonous Mushrooms Poster from the Oregon Health & Science University
Remember the phrase:

There are bold mushroom hunters and there are old mushroom hunters, but there are no old bold mushroom hunters. — A wise person

Voluntary NAMA Poison Case Registry Email Report

For emergency treatment, contact your physician, the nearest poison center, or hospital emergency room first.

After the episode, file a separate report for each patient using either email submission or use mail-in form, making sure to protect patient confidentiality. The North American Mycological Association maintains a registry of mushroom poisonings. They desire reports about known or suspected toxic species that have been consumed without obvious adverse effect.

Amatoxin Poisoning from Amanita phalloides (Death Cap): A long-term clinical trial of intravenous silibinin has just begun in the US. For more information on the clinical trial, and for hospitals and physicians to enroll amatoxin poisoning victims, click here. Immediately call the Legalon® SIL hotline: 866-520-4412 if you have a suspected case of amatoxin-mushroom poisoning.

Clinical Trials
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00915681?term=legalon&rank=5

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