California officials have issued a warning to foragers after a person died from eating poisonous death cap mushrooms, highlighting the dangers of mistaking wild mushrooms for edible ones. According to health experts, the toxic mushrooms are often mistaken due to their similar appearance and taste, with some even looking like safe options.
The California department of public health has reported 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning, likely caused by the death cap mushroom, which can lead to liver failure. In severe cases, patients have required intensive care, including one individual who may need a liver transplant.
State officials emphasize that the risk is not limited to specific areas and caution residents against foraging for wild mushrooms altogether during this high-risk season. Wet weather has fueled the growth of death cap mushrooms, which can be found in various locations across central California's Monterey county and the San Francisco Bay Area.
In 2023, there were over 4,500 reported cases of exposure to unidentified mushrooms at Poison Centers nationwide, with roughly half of those involving young children who may unknowingly ingest a toxic mushroom while playing outdoors. California's poison control system receives hundreds of cases of wild mushroom poisonings each year.
Experts stress that even small changes in color or cooking method do not make a difference in determining the toxicity of a mushroom. Symptoms of poisoning can appear within 24 hours, including stomach cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. While some gastrointestinal symptoms may improve, patients remain at risk for serious complications, such as liver damage.
For those experiencing symptoms of mushroom poisoning or seeking guidance on diagnosis and treatment, residents are advised to contact the poison control hotline at (800) 222-1222.
The California department of public health has reported 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning, likely caused by the death cap mushroom, which can lead to liver failure. In severe cases, patients have required intensive care, including one individual who may need a liver transplant.
State officials emphasize that the risk is not limited to specific areas and caution residents against foraging for wild mushrooms altogether during this high-risk season. Wet weather has fueled the growth of death cap mushrooms, which can be found in various locations across central California's Monterey county and the San Francisco Bay Area.
In 2023, there were over 4,500 reported cases of exposure to unidentified mushrooms at Poison Centers nationwide, with roughly half of those involving young children who may unknowingly ingest a toxic mushroom while playing outdoors. California's poison control system receives hundreds of cases of wild mushroom poisonings each year.
Experts stress that even small changes in color or cooking method do not make a difference in determining the toxicity of a mushroom. Symptoms of poisoning can appear within 24 hours, including stomach cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. While some gastrointestinal symptoms may improve, patients remain at risk for serious complications, such as liver damage.
For those experiencing symptoms of mushroom poisoning or seeking guidance on diagnosis and treatment, residents are advised to contact the poison control hotline at (800) 222-1222.
California is literally killing ppl off over mushrooms lol 
! i mean its like every1 nozzin bout death cap mushrooms but apparently some ppl r still out there eatin them thinking dey r edibles 
! i feel bad 4 the fam of dat 1 person who died from eating poisonous mushrooms. wet weather is literally makin death cap mushrooms grow like crazy 
in cali, so its a big risk 4 people to be foragin 4 wild mushrooms.
trust me, ur liver will thank u 2 much 
. seriously tho, symptoms of mushroom poisoning can come in like 24 hrs and ppl r at risk for serious complications. so yeah, stick 2 what u know and dont be a fool 
!
, but seriously, have you guys seen the latest on California's death cap mushroom alert? It's like, super important to note that those little 'differences' in appearance and taste don't make a difference when it comes to whether they're edible or toxic. Like, what even is the point of trying wild mushrooms if you can't tell the difference?! 
And now there are all these people potentially getting liver transplants because of it... no thanks. Can we just stick to buying our food from actual stores instead? 
. I'm not saying the state should be more strict or anything, but maybe they could establish some clearer guidelines on what's safe and what's not? It's like, we all know that mushrooms can be toxic, so why make it a game of chance? 
On the other hand, you've got people who are just trying to live off the land, and they're being told to stay away from wild mushrooms altogether. I mean, what's the worst that could happen if someone makes a mistake? 
.
the fact that there were 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning in california alone is insane 
not cool, people! 
let's all just stick to buying our food from the store or a trusted source, 'kay? 
. I mean, it's wild how similar some poisonous mushrooms look to edible ones, making it super easy to get it wrong. It's like our brains are trying to trick us into thinking we know better than experts 
If 21 cases aren't enough warning signs, what else do you need? It's all about being aware of our surroundings and making smart choices...like saying no to foraging during peak poison season 
oh man, can't believe this is still a thing... foraging for wild mushrooms sounds like a fun adventure but seriously, people gotta be more careful! I've seen some sick pics of death cap mushrooms online and it's wild how they can look so similar to edible ones. My friend's cousin almost got super sick from eating some wrong 'shrooms last year... luckily he made it through, but what if not? 
i mean what if you got liver failure or something? thats not a joke. and nope its not just california either, other states have cases too. so yeah the warning is legit, dont try to be some foraging expert like that guy who died from eating those mushrooms. 
... i was walking in the woods with my favorite camera, trying to capture the perfect shot of a sunset, but every time i'd take a picture, the sky would change colors and the trees would start talking to me 
. i mean, can you imagine if your kid ate something bad while playing outside? it gives me chills just thinking about it 
.
I'm not buying it without some concrete sources...
We need some action from our state officials, pronto! 
.
! And what about all the other poison centers reporting similar cases nationwide? This isn't just a California problem, it's a whole country thing. Something fishy is going on, and I'm not buying that it's just about people being careless with their foraging 
.
. If you're into foraging, stick to certified spots or online guides, 'kay? And remember, if you do accidentally eat something poisonous, CALL THE POISON CONTROL HOTLINE ASAP 
- they've got experts who can help. Don't underestimate the risks, folks! 
. Like, I get it, foraging can be fun, but these poisonous death cap mushrooms are super similar to the edible ones, making them super hard to tell apart 
. And you know what's even scarier? Wet weather made 'em grow everywhere! 
. And honestly, how do you even mistake 'em anyway? They look pretty different to me 
. Anyway, just a heads up for anyone who loves exploring the great outdoors... be careful out there! 
. i was out hiking the other day and saw some weird looking 'mushrooms' on the side of the trail and my mind immediately went to "don't touch it, don't eat it"! 
also, 4,500 reported cases of exposure to unidentified mushrooms is like, crazy 
. we need to spread awareness about this more! 
anyone got tips on how to safely identify edible mushrooms?