Don’t be Fooled by Poisonous Fall Mushrooms

Fall brings the most poisonous mushroom types and they are found not only in the wild, but in lawns and parks as well. The IPC experts advise not to eat any wild mushrooms because they may be dangerous, possibly even deadly.

Did you know that some of the edible Fall mushrooms have poisonous look-alikes? See photos in attached pdf document.

The most poisonous mushrooms are members of the Amanita family, which are responsible for most of the mushroom-related deaths that occur each year. These mushrooms contain a substance that can cause liver damage. Tragically, these mushrooms do not produce symptoms until many hours after they are eaten, often resulting in delayed treatment and poor outcomes. It is critical to seek medical help before symptoms appear.

It is recommended that you avoid eating all wild mushrooms unless they have been positively identified by an expert or were collected with an organization such as the Illinois Mycological Association (http://www.ilmyco.gen.chicago.il.us/).

Eating spoiled mushrooms (wild or store-bought) can also cause illness, with symptoms similar to those of food poisoning. Vomiting, diarrhea and other stomach problems may occur. Discard mushrooms that are discolored, slimy or have a bad odor.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has eaten a potentially poisonous mushroom, contact the Illinois Poison Center immediately at
1-800-222-1222. The IPC specialist may ask you to take digital photos of the mushroom and e-mail them to the IPC to help with the identification.

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