Smoke inhalation
Smoke inhalation occurs when a person breathes in hot air, smoke, or chemical fumes, which can cause burns or swelling in the air passages. Life-threatening carbon monoxide poisoning can occur with smoke inhalation.
The person may be restless, confused, or violent from the smoke and toxic gases inhaled. A changed mental state may be a direct effect of the toxins or may be caused by a lack of oxygen (hypoxia).
Urgent medical attention is needed for someone with symptoms of smoke inhalation. These symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Noisy breathing.
- Wheezing.
- Hoarseness, trouble speaking, or inability to speak in full sentences.
- Coughing.
- Dark-colored sputum.
- A change in mental state, such as restlessness, confusion, or sleepiness (lethargy).
How can you care for yourself after smoke inhalation?
- Get plenty of rest and sleep. You may feel weak and tired for a while, but your energy level will improve with time. Prop up your head on pillows to help you breathe and ease a cough.
- Suck on cough drops or hard candy to soothe a dry or sore throat. Cough drops do not stop a cough.
- Take cough medicine if your doctor tells you to.
- Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around you. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
- Avoid things that may irritate your lungs. This might include cold, dry air or hot, humid air.
- If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
- Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
- If your doctor prescribed medicine to make breathing easier, such as a bronchodilator or inhaled corticosteroid, use it exactly as directed.
- If you were given a spirometer to measure how well your lungs are working, use it as instructed. This can help your doctor tell how your recovery is going.
Smoke inhalation in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has severe trouble breathing. Symptoms may include:
- Using the belly muscles to breathe.
- The chest sinking in or the nostrils flaring when your child struggles to breathe.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has new or worse trouble breathing.
- Your child coughs up dark brown or bloody mucus (sputum).
- Your child's coughing or wheezing gets worse.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child does not get better as expected.
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