When should you call Türkiye's poison line about mushrooms?

What is 114 and who answers?

114 is the free line of the National Poison Information Centre (UZEM), run under the Ministry of Health's Emergency Health Services, open around the clock and staffed by trained health professionals. It advises the public and clinicians on poisonings from mushrooms, medicines, cleaning products, pesticides, plants and bites.

A ministry statement reported by Habertürk says 114 provides 24/7 advice via UZEM on reaching antidotes for mushroom poisoning; a 2018 statement said these antidotes are stocked at designated centres across Türkiye.

112 or 114?

This matters. 112 sends ambulances; 114 does not.

• 112 first: unconsciousness or confusion, breathing difficulty, seizures, severe ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea, marked weakness, palpitations, jaundice.
• 114: suspected poisonous mushroom eaten even without symptoms; to learn what to do and where to go.
• If unsure, 112: it can contact the poison centre when needed.

Mushroom symptoms can start hours later; no symptoms does not mean no poisoning.

When should you call about mushrooms?

With the deadliest species, such as the death cap, symptoms start hours later and may seem to ease while liver damage continues, so don't wait. Call 114 or seek care even without symptoms if:

• A wild mushroom of uncertain species was eaten.
• Wild mushrooms bought at a market, roadside or from an acquaintance were eaten.
• A child put a garden or park mushroom in their mouth.
• Someone who shared the meal fell ill.
• A pet ate a mushroom (also call a vet).

What should you have ready?

The specialist will ask about:

• Who: age, approximate weight, pregnancy or chronic illness.
• What: where the mushroom came from, what it looked like, any photos.
• How much was eaten.
• When: time eaten and time symptoms began.
• How: raw or cooked, with alcohol?
• Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain, sweating, dizziness, vision changes, jaundice.
• Who else ate it.

Keep leftovers, scraps and any vomit sample and bring them; identifying the species can guide treatment.

What not to do at home

Experts agree:

• Don't induce vomiting unless advised.
• Don't rely on milk, yoghurt, ayran, vinegar or salt water.
• Don't skip care because symptoms eased.
• Don't leave the person alone; note symptoms and times.
• Don't throw away leftovers.

There is no reliable home test; see how to tell poisonous mushrooms.

Why the same warnings every year?

With every spring and autumn rain, the ministry and provincial directorates warn that poisonings rise, with symptoms appearing within hours depending on the toxin, as TRT Haber and others report. The advice stays the same: choose labelled cultivated mushrooms and seek care without delay. See why poisonings rise in autumn.

More information

See mushroom poisoning symptoms, can mushroom poisoning kill and our poisonous mushrooms page. Saving 112 and 114 in your phone is a simple step for foragers and families with small children.