The Illinois Poison Center is warning residents about the dangers associated with toxic autumnal mushrooms commonly found in neighborhoods and forest preserves.
Liver damage related to consuming wild mushrooms that contain amatoxin is among the most serious concerns regarding wild mushroom consumption. While most gastrointestinal irritants produce symptoms in a matter of two to three hours, mushrooms containing amatoxin can produce delayed symptoms up to 24 hours after digestion. Potential symptoms include vomiting and severe diarrhea.
The two wild mushrooms harboring amatoxin that are most likely to be consumed in Illinois are the Amanita bisporigera — recognizable by its white cap, stem and gills — and the Galerina marginata — a small brown mushroom easily mistaken as edible.
"The Illinois Poison Center receives hundreds of calls each year about mushrooms found in lawns and neighborhood parks," Michael Wahl, MD, medical director of the IPC, said in an email release. "Adults, and especially children, need to learn about the health risks of eating wild mushrooms and what to do if they are ingested."
To learn more about the dangers of consuming wild mushrooms and other fall safety hazards, click here.
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