PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Health & medical scares foraged mushrooms sickness • wild mushroom poisoning • unknown plant poisoning • severe vomiting after foraging • severe diarrhea after foraging • vomiting and diarrhoea poisoning • food foraging gone wrong • ate a wild plant now sick • ate unknown berries or leaves • mushroom toxins suspected • stomach cramps after wild food • symptoms after eating wild mushrooms • sudden vomiting after meal outdoors • possible toxin exposure by mouth • worried it’s more than food poisoning • dehydration from vomiting diarrhoea • symptoms started after foraged food • not sure what plant i ate

What to do if…
you develop severe vomiting and diarrhea after eating foraged mushrooms or an unknown plant

Short answer

Treat this as a possible poisoning, not routine food poisoning. Get urgent medical advice now: call NHS 111, or 999 if you’re seriously unwell or getting worse.

Do not do these things

  • Do not “wait it out” if symptoms are severe, you can’t keep fluids down, or you feel faint/confused.
  • Do not try to make yourself vomit.
  • Do not take anti-diarrhoea medicines (for example loperamide) until NHS 111 or a clinician advises it.
  • Do not take leftover antibiotics, strong painkillers, or “detox” remedies to try to counteract it.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Do not throw away what you ate if you can safely keep a sample/photo (it can help clinicians identify the toxin).

What to do now

  1. Choose the urgent-help route (now).
    • Call 999 or go to A&E now if you/they are very drowsy, collapsing/fainting, having a seizure, struggling to breathe, severely dehydrated, have severe abdominal pain, or have blood in vomit/stool.
    • Otherwise call NHS 111 now and say clearly: “Possible poisoning after foraged mushrooms/unknown plant, with severe vomiting and diarrhoea.”
  2. If you’re alone, reduce risk while you get help.
    • Sit or lie on your side near a toilet/bucket.
    • Keep your phone on loudspeaker; unlock the door if safe to do so.
  3. Capture the details clinicians will ask for (1–2 minutes).
    • Note: time eaten, how much, when symptoms began, who else ate it, and any alcohol/medicines taken.
    • If you have packaging/containers or a foraging basket, keep them.
  4. Preserve identification clues safely (only if you can do it quickly).
    • Take clear photos of the mushroom/plant (top, underside/gills, stem, nearby habitat) and any remaining prepared food.
    • If you still have a piece, keep it in a sealed bag/container and handle minimally. Wash hands afterwards. Do not taste it again.
    • If vomiting happens naturally, you can keep a small sample of vomit in a sealed bag/container for clinicians without trying to make yourself vomit.
  5. Prevent dehydration while waiting (only if you can keep sips down).
    • Take small, frequent sips of water or oral rehydration solution.
    • If you cannot keep even small sips down, tell NHS 111 / go to urgent care.
  6. Still get assessed even if symptoms ease.
    • Some mushroom/plant toxins can cause serious harm even if early stomach symptoms settle. Follow NHS 111/A&E advice the same day.

What can wait

  • Trying to identify the mushroom/plant yourself online.
  • Deciding “whether it was just food poisoning.”
  • Cleaning up, travelling home, or finishing plans.
  • Posting in foraging groups for an ID (do this later, after you’ve contacted NHS 111 / been assessed).

Important reassurance

It’s understandable to panic—severe vomiting and diarrhoea after unknown foraged food is frightening. Seeking urgent advice quickly is the safest move, and it’s exactly what NHS 111 and A&E are for.

Scope note

These are first steps to reduce harm and get you into the right care pathway. Diagnosis and treatment decisions need clinicians, especially with unknown foraged mushrooms/plants.

Important note

This guide is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you think you may have been poisoned or you’re getting worse, use NHS 111/999 or attend A&E promptly.

Additional Resources
Support us