A Mushroom in the Bag – How to Avoid Poisoning

Several severe cases of mushroom poisoning have already been reported this summer. It's unusually early, says Peter Hultén, pharmacist at the Poison Information Centre. Taking one mushroom at a time is his advice to avoid the dangers.

» Published: August 02 2024

A Mushroom in the Bag – How to Avoid Poisoning
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

When mushrooms thrive and grow, mushroom pickers also head out to the forest. This can be an explanation for why the Poison Information Centre has already received many calls.

Often, September and October are the months when we get many questions about mushrooms, says Peter Hultén.

This year, there are already several confirmed cases where people have eaten the death cap mushroom, or false morel mushroom. Among the symptoms are severe diarrhea, stomach pains, and vomiting, which often occur half a day after eating the mushroom.

No fatalities

The Poison Information Centre is not aware of any fatalities this year.

But there have been potentially serious cases where people have ingested so much after a meal that it could have been life-threatening, says Peter Hultén.

The death cap and false morel mushrooms can easily be mistaken for, among other things, champignons.

Another dangerous mushroom is the conical webcap, which can be mistaken for funnel chanterelles.

They are not alike, but grow in the same environment. You can accidentally pick conical webcap if you pick carelessly, says Peter Hultén.

Check when you clean!

A good rule is to take one mushroom at a time. Look at each mushroom you pick, and at each mushroom when you clean!

You should also learn one mushroom species at a time.

It requires great knowledge of mushrooms before you can pick different species, emphasizes Peter Hultén.

Several of the recent poisonings have affected people with a foreign background.

They pick mushrooms that they think they recognize from back home. But here, it can be other, toxic species, says Peter Hultén.

Micke Larsson/TT

Facts: Pick safe mushrooms

TT

Take one species at a time when you learn to recognize different mushrooms

Pick one mushroom at a time, and look at each mushroom when you clean them

Avoid mushrooms with white gills on the underside of the cap! It can be death cap or false morel mushroom.

Avoid brown mushrooms with brown gills on the underside as well.

Only pick mushrooms you are sure you recognize. Never take a chance

If you suspect someone has ingested a toxic mushroom, call 112 and ask for advice from the Poison Information Centre

If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic mushroom, contact a veterinarian

Those who want to learn more about mushrooms can take a mushroom course, or contact The Swedish Association of Mushroom Consultants.

Source: Poison Information Centre

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Police Evacuate Malmö Area Over
2 MIN READ

Police Evacuate Malmö Area Over Suspected Explosive Objects

Swedish Education Minister Stands by
3 MIN READ

Swedish Education Minister Stands by Digital Tests Despite Setbacks

Sweden's Ugliest Building: New Lund
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Ugliest Building: New Lund House Sparks Debate

Swedish Teen Sentenced to 10
1 MIN READ

Swedish Teen Sentenced to 10 Years in Denmark for Explosives Transport

Sweden Proposes Profit Ban for
1 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Profit Ban for New Independent Schools

Man at Arlanda Airport Found
1 MIN READ

Man at Arlanda Airport Found with 7,000 Dollars in Cash

Swedish Minister Pushes for Journalist's
2 MIN READ

Swedish Minister Pushes for Journalist's Release in Talks with Turkey

Queen Silvia Resting After Successful
1 MIN READ

Queen Silvia Resting After Successful Foot Surgery

Police Uncover Timeline Gap in
2 MIN READ

Police Uncover Timeline Gap in Örebro Shooting Investigation

Busch Criticizes Influencers for Fueling
2 MIN READ

Busch Criticizes Influencers for Fueling Body Image Issues in Youth

Energy Minister Ebba Busch Faces
1 MIN READ

Energy Minister Ebba Busch Faces Constitutional Committee Review

Invasive Leaf Flatworm Detected in
1 MIN READ

Invasive Leaf Flatworm Detected in Blekinge, Raising Concerns

Carbon Monoxide Blamed for Kebnekaise
1 MIN READ

Carbon Monoxide Blamed for Kebnekaise Deaths, No Crime Suspected

Two Sentenced for Unexploded Grenade
1 MIN READ

Two Sentenced for Unexploded Grenade Attack on Malmö Restaurant

Simona Mohamsson Takes Charge to
3 MIN READ

Simona Mohamsson Takes Charge to Revitalize Sweden's Liberal Party

Record Number of Swedes Register
1 MIN READ

Record Number of Swedes Register for University Entrance Exam

Shots Fired at House in
1 MIN READ

Shots Fired at House in Hudiksvall, Police Investigate Attempted Murder

15-Year-Old Girl Suspected in Eslöv
1 MIN READ

15-Year-Old Girl Suspected in Eslöv Bus Stabbing Incident

Demirok Steps Down as Center
1 MIN READ

Demirok Steps Down as Center Party Leader Citing Internal Leaks

Swedish Care Worker Jailed for
1 MIN READ

Swedish Care Worker Jailed for Defrauding Elderly of Millions

Ancient Greek Harbor Unearthed by
3 MIN READ

Ancient Greek Harbor Unearthed by Stockholm University Team

Suspected Murder in Hässleholm: One
1 MIN READ

Suspected Murder in Hässleholm: One Person Detained

Teenage Girl Stabbed on Bus
1 MIN READ

Teenage Girl Stabbed on Bus in Eslöv; Four Teens Arrested

Ex-Regional Official in Sweden Faces
1 MIN READ

Ex-Regional Official in Sweden Faces Charges in Pension Fund Bribery Case

Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower
2 MIN READ

Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Older Adults

Critics Challenge Proposal to End
3 MIN READ

Critics Challenge Proposal to End Summer Grazing for Swedish Dairy Cows

Sweden Proposes Transparency for Lottery
1 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Transparency for Lottery Purchases Supporting Parties

Elderly Man's Death in Gullspång
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man's Death in Gullspång Fire Investigated as Suspected Murder

Sweden Tightens Control on Opioids
1 MIN READ

Sweden Tightens Control on Opioids and Hazardous Substances

Sweden Braces for Economic Impact
2 MIN READ

Sweden Braces for Economic Impact from US Tariffs, Government Warns

Swedish Man Faces Arson Charges
1 MIN READ

Swedish Man Faces Arson Charges for House Fire in Norway

Man Charged in Fatal Lund
1 MIN READ

Man Charged in Fatal Lund Knife Attack Linked to Drug Deal

Electric Scooter Accidents Surge by
1 MIN READ

Electric Scooter Accidents Surge by 30 Percent in 2024, Young Riders Most Affected

Skåne Manager Faces Charges for
1 MIN READ

Skåne Manager Faces Charges for Embezzling Millions from Municipalities

Teen Faces Court in Sweden
2 MIN READ

Teen Faces Court in Sweden for Alleged Sect-Linked Knife Attack

Elderly Man Critically Injured in
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man Critically Injured in Kävlinge Villa Fire

Somalia Expels Swedish Aid Chief
1 MIN READ

Somalia Expels Swedish Aid Chief Anna Saleem Högberg

Sweden Proposes Tighter Security at
2 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Tighter Security at Migration Detention Centers

Swedish Foreign Minister to Discuss
2 MIN READ

Swedish Foreign Minister to Discuss Journalist's Detention with Turkey

Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm to
1 MIN READ

Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm to Close Following Riksdag Decision