Written and medically reviewed by Arnaud, Doctor of Pharmacy and owner of Pharmacie Soin et Nature.
Mushroom poisoning occurs after eating a poisonous mushroom, or an edible mushroom that has been poorly stored or undercooked. The first signs are usually digestive, but it is the time it takes for symptoms to appear that indicates how serious it is. In this article, Arnaud, our pharmacist, explains which symptoms to watch for, how long they take to appear and what to do. For an overview of dangerous species, see our complete guide to poisonous mushrooms.
What are the symptoms of mushroom poisoning?
Seek emergency help as soon as any of these signs appear within 12 hours of a meal containing mushrooms:
- diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea;
- trembling, dizziness;
- visual disturbances.
Other symptoms point to a specific type of poisoning. Profuse sweating, watery eyes or excessive salivation suggest muscarinic (sweating) syndrome, linked to white funnel mushrooms (Clitocybe) or fibrecaps (Inocybe). Agitation, confusion or drowsiness suggest pantherina syndrome, caused by the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) or the panther cap (Amanita pantherina). Hot flushes with palpitations after a glass of alcohol suggest the common ink cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria).
Mushroom poisoning: how long before symptoms appear?
Doctors distinguish two main families of poisoning according to this delay, known as the latency period.
| Time after the meal | Possible syndromes | Usual severity |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 6 hours | Gastrointestinal, muscarinic, pantherina, coprine | Usually mild with appropriate care |
| Generally 6 to 24 hours | Phalloides (death cap, small dapperlings, funeral bell) | Serious: liver damage, life-threatening |
| Several days | Orellanus (webcaps) | Serious: kidney damage, sometimes permanent |
The Lille poison control centre (France) points out that any poisoning with a long latency period must be considered serious. It requires hospital care for the person who is ill, but also for everyone who shared the meal. Be careful: a meal made up of several species can combine mild early symptoms with a more serious poisoning later on.
Can mushroom poisoning seem to get better?
Poisoning by the death cap (Amanita phalloides) develops in several stages. It usually starts 6 to 24 hours after the meal with vomiting, profuse diarrhoea and abdominal pain, leading to severe dehydration. A lull may then follow. Meanwhile, the amatoxins destroy liver cells. Liver damage then shows up in blood tests, sometimes before any visible sign.
At the pharmacy, we sometimes meet people who describe a “stomach bug” that started the day after a meal of foraged mushrooms. This delay of several hours between the meal and the symptoms is precisely the sign that should make you call the emergency services.
What to do in case of mushroom poisoning?
- Call straight away: 112 anywhere in Europe. In the UK, call 999 or NHS 111. In Ireland, the Public Poisons Line is available on 01 809 2166 (8am to 10pm). Do so even if the symptoms seem mild.
- Note the time of the last meal containing mushrooms, as well as that of the first symptoms.
- Keep the leftovers, raw or cooked, the peelings, or even vomit if the medical team asks: they are used to identify the species.
- Show a photo of the harvest if you took one before cooking.
- Warn the other diners, who must also be assessed.
Do not take any medicine for diarrhoea or vomiting on your own initiative. Do not try to make yourself vomit either. Treatment is a matter for the medical teams, who adapt it to the syndrome identified.
How to avoid mushroom poisoning?
According to the French food safety agency Anses, only 27.3% of the meals documented in France during the 2024 season had been checked by someone before being eaten. Prevention therefore starts with checking the species. It also depends on good storage: two days maximum in the fridge, never in a plastic bag. Never eat wild mushrooms raw. Do not give wild mushrooms to young children. You will find all our foraging advice in our guide to poisonous mushrooms.
What else should you know about mushroom poisoning?
How long does mushroom poisoning last?
It depends on the syndrome. A mild digestive poisoning usually lasts from a few hours to two days. Serious forms affecting the liver or kidneys require a hospital stay that can last several days, or even longer.
Can you be poisoned by mushrooms bought in a shop?
Yes, it is possible. An edible mushroom that is too old, poorly stored or undercooked can cause digestive problems. Respect the use-by date, keep them cool and throw away any damaged or slimy mushroom.
Is mushroom poisoning contagious?
No. However, everyone who ate the same dish has been exposed. That is why they must be warned immediately, even if they have no symptoms.
Does milk help in case of mushroom poisoning?
No. Drinking milk has no effect on mushroom toxins. This old wives’ remedy can delay calling for help, which remains the only right reflex.
When should you see a doctor for mushroom poisoning?
Seek help immediately, by calling 112 or your poison centre, as soon as the first symptom appears after a meal of mushrooms. A delay of 6 hours or more between the meal and the symptoms requires hospital care, even if you then feel better.
Sources
- Anses (France), Accidental mushroom poisoning, toxicovigilance report (2024 season)
- Lille poison control centre, Lille University Hospital, Mushrooms and main toxic syndromes
- National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland, Mushroom safety advice
