Barton Health Hospital in Lake Tahoe is reporting a small increase in illness related to poisonous mushroom ingestion in their hospital.
The mushroom in question is the amanita muscaria mushroom, is a red mushroom with white gills that make it look similar to mushrooms in Super Mario video games.
Its bright colors can make it attractive to children, but humans and pets who eat it can experience gastrointestinal and possibly neurological issues.
The mushrooms' rapid growth may be due to the cooler and we weather, but regardless of the cause Barton Health is asking people to avoid it.
Many wild mushrooms are poisonous, and it is important not to ingest any mushroom without confirming it is safe.
If you or a person you know has ingested a mushroom which may be poisonous, please call poison control at 800-222-1222 or call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Additional resources and information on poisonous mushrooms can be found on poison control's website.Â
