Key facts
- Symptoms that start 6 hours or more after eating can signal the most dangerous poisonings — don't wait it out, even if they seem to settle.
- Cooking, drying or freezing does not destroy the toxins in death caps.
- Keep a sample, a photo, or the leftovers to show the doctor.
What to do right now
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if the person is very unwell, drowsy, having a fit or has collapsed.
Do not make them sick. Don't give food or drink unless a doctor, nurse or 111 adviser tells you to.
Keep any leftover mushroom (raw or cooked), a photo of it, or even vomit — it helps experts identify the species.
Tell the clinician what was eaten, when, and who else ate it. Everyone who shared the meal should get advice, even if they feel fine.
Early vs late symptoms
| Onset | Typical symptoms | What it may mean |
|---|---|---|
| < 6 h | Vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps | Often a less severe stomach upset — still get advice |
| 6–24 h | Vomiting and watery diarrhoea after a symptom-free gap | Possible amatoxin poisoning (death cap, destroying angel) — emergency |
| Days to weeks | Thirst, back or loin pain, passing less urine | Possible kidney injury (webcaps) — emergency |
Timing is a guide, not a diagnosis. Symptoms can improve for a while and then get worse. If in doubt, call NHS 111.
Species behind most cases
A small number of species cause most serious poisonings in the UK, usually because they are mistaken for something edible:
- Death cap (Amanita phalloides) and destroying angel (Amanita virosa) — mistaken for field or horse mushrooms and young puffballs.
- Deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) — mistaken for chanterelles.
- Funeral bell (Galerina marginata) — mistaken for velvet shank and honey fungus.
Treatment in hospital
Hospital teams in the UK can get specialist advice from the National Poisons Information Service. Treatment depends on the species, how much was eaten and how long ago — which is why a sample or photo matters so much.
This page doesn't describe medical treatments. Please don't try to treat a suspected poisoning at home.
Sources
- NHS — Poisoning (nhs.uk)
- National Poisons Information Service (npis.org)
- UK Health Security Agency guidance on poisoning (link to be added)
- Peer-reviewed case series on amatoxin poisoning (DOI in live page)