Taipei Veterans General Hospital has issued a strong warning: beware of wild mushrooms this rainy season. Continuous rain and high humidity across Taiwan have caused wild mushrooms to grow rapidly, even in unusual places like road dividers in Kaohsiung’s Fengshan District. This increase in mushroom growth raises serious health concerns.
The hospital’s director of Occupational Medicine and Clinical Toxicology urges the public not to trust common folk methods when identifying poisonous mushrooms. Many people rely on myths, such as bright colors meaning danger or silver turning black to signal poison. However, these methods are unreliable and can be life-threatening.
Hospital data show mushroom poisonings peak during the rainy season. The cases are most frequent in Taipei, Taichung, Nantou, Kaohsiung, and Hualien. The false parasol mushroom causes the most confusion. It closely resembles the edible parasol mushroom, leading to many accidental poisonings.
Taiwan hosts over 60 poisonous mushroom species, many looking similar to safe varieties. Experts explain that even mobile apps using AI for mushroom identification often fail. Factors like lighting, photo angles, and growth stages affect accuracy. Experts themselves rely on both physical features and molecular tests to identify mushrooms safely.
Consuming poisonous mushrooms can severely harm the digestive system, nervous system, liver, kidneys, or blood. Some toxins take hours or even days to show symptoms, and no specific antidote exists. Early detection and prompt medical treatment are vital to prevent serious illness or death.
The hospital advises that if poisoning is suspected, people should immediately stop eating the mushrooms. They should preserve mushroom samples and take photos for identification. Quick hospital visits matter most, especially for children, elderly, and those with chronic conditions. Some poisonings cause a “false recovery” where symptoms briefly improve before worsening.
Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, hallucinations, convulsions, bleeding, confusion, or trouble breathing. Anyone suspecting mushroom poisoning should call the Taiwan Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline. The center can provide expert help, including DNA testing to confirm the mushroom species.
In summary, the message is clear: beware of wild mushrooms. With mushroom growth booming in Taiwan’s rainy season, staying cautious and seeking expert advice can save lives.
