Smoke can suffocate people and sometimes also contains toxic chemicals produced by the burning substance. Some of these chemicals can damage the lungs or poison the body.
Many people who have been burned in fires have also inhaled smoke. Sometimes people inhale smoke without burning their skin.
Inhaling small amounts of smoke usually does not cause any serious, lasting effects. However, if the smoke contains certain toxic chemicals or is unusually dense, or if the inhalation is prolonged, serious problems can arise. Even common household materials such as plastics and fabrics can produce toxic chemicals (toxic combustion products) when burned.
Inhaling smoke can cause problems in several ways:
-
Asphyxiates the body with carbon monoxide
-
Poisoning the body with toxic chemicals
-
Damage to the trachea, airways and/or lungs due to toxic chemicals
-
Burning of the mouth and throat from hot gases
Carbon monoxide is a gas produced in many fires. When inhaled, carbon monoxide prevents the blood from transporting oxygen, so tissues do not get enough oxygen (see also carbon monoxide poisoning).
Many household and industrial substances release cyanide when they burn and cause cyanide poisoning.
Inhalation of chemicals released in the smoke, such as hydrogen chloride, phosgene, sulfur dioxide, toxic aldehyde chemicals and ammonia, can cause swelling and damage to the trachea (trachea) and even the lungs. Eventually, the small airways leading to the lungs narrow, further impeding airflow.
Hot smoke usually only burns the mouth and throat rather than the lungs because the smoke cools quickly. An exception, however, is steam, which carries much more heat energy than smoke and can thus also burn the airways in the lungs.
Symptoms of smoke inhalation
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea, drowsiness, confusion and coma.
Damage to the trachea, airways or lungs may cause coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath. These symptoms may appear immediately or take up to 24 hours to develop.
Burns of the mouth and throat cause swelling that can make breathing air difficult. People may have soot in the mouth or nose, burning nose hairs or burns around the mouth.
Diagnosis of smoke inhalation
-
A medical examination
-
Often chest X-ray and/or blood tests
-
Sometimes you look into the trachea and sometimes into the lungs with a flexible scope
Sometimes a medical examination is all that is needed for people who have few or no symptoms and have only been exposed to smoke for a short time.
People with symptoms usually need some tests, such as blood tests to measure oxygen and carbon monoxide levels and a chest X-ray. To assess the extent of smoke inhalation damage in people with significant symptoms, doctors may insert a flexible viewing tube (laryngoscope or bronchoscope) into the trachea.
Treatment of smoke inhalation
-
For simple smoke inhalation, oxygen
-
For tracheal burns, a breathing tube
-
In case of breathing difficulties, sometimes medication and/or ventilator
People who have symptoms caused by smoke inhalation are given oxygen through a face mask. If a tracheal burn is suspected, a breathing tube is passed through the nose or mouth in case the trachea later swells and obstructs airflow. If people start wheezing, medicines that open small airways, such as albuterolcan be given, usually as a mist that is combined with oxygen and inhaled through a face mask. If lung damage causes shortness of breath that persists despite wearing a face mask and albuterola fan (People who have symptoms caused by smoke inhalation are given oxygen through a face mask. If a tracheal burn is suspected, a breathing tube is passed through the nose or mouth in case the trachea later swells and obstructs airflow. If people start wheezing, medication that opens small airways, such as albuterol, can be given, usually as a mist that is combined with oxygen and inhaled through a face mask. If lung injury causes shortness of breath that persists despite the use of a face mask and albuterol, a ventilator (breathing machine) may be necessary.
