Smoke Inhalation

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

Smoke inhalation

means you breathed in smoke from burning materials and gases. The smoke may contain chemicals or poisons, such as carbon monoxide and cyanide. The harmful chemicals may come from burning rubber, coal, plastic, or electrical wiring.

Signs and symptoms

depend on the source of the smoke and how long you were exposed:

• Cough and hoarseness
• Chest pain or coughing up blood
• Trouble breathing, such as shortness of breath and noisy breathing
• Headache, abdominal pain, and nausea
• Eye irritation or vision problems
• Fainting
• Soot in your nostrils or throat

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• You cough up or vomit blood.
• You have a fast heartbeat and chest pain.
• You have increased shortness of breath.

Seek care immediately if:

• You feel weak.
• You have pale and clammy skin.
• You are wheezing.
• Your lips or fingernails turn blue.

Call your doctor if:

• You have a fever.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Treatment

depends on how the smoke affected you. Your lungs and airway may become irritated, swollen, and blocked. The damaged airway and lungs prevent oxygen from getting into your blood. You may develop respiratory failure. Respiratory failure means you cannot breathe well enough to get oxygen to the cells of your body. You may need any of the following:

• Medicines may be given to open your air passages so you can breathe more easily. You may also need medicines to prevent or treat pain or a bacterial infection.
• Antidotes may be given to stop or control the effects of the smoke you inhaled. The antidotes used will depend on the type of smoke you inhaled.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to get more oxygen into your body. The oxygen is given under pressure to help it get into your tissues and blood.
• Extra oxygen may be needed if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be.
• A ventilator is a machine that gives you oxygen and breathes for you when you cannot breathe well on your own.

Self-care:

• Avoid airway irritation. Your lungs may get irritated more easily during the next several weeks. Avoid working with or being around irritating chemicals and smoke. Intense exercise may also cause some lung irritation. Exercise at a level that is comfortable for you.
• Do breathing exercises if you feel short of breath when you are active.
  • Breathe out with pursed or puckered lips (like playing a trumpet).
  • Put one hand on your abdomen and breathe in, causing your hand to move outward or upward. Your lungs will have more room to get bigger and to take in more air.
• Do deep breathing 1 time every hour, or as directed. Deep breathing helps prevent a lung infection. Slowly take a deep breath and hold the breath as long as you can. Then let out your breath. Take 10 deep breaths in a row every hour while awake. You may be asked to use an incentive spirometer to help you with this. Put the plastic piece into your mouth and slowly take a breath as deep and as long as you can. Hold your breath as long as you can. Then, let out your breath.
• Use extra oxygen as directed to help you breathe easier. Tell your healthcare provider if your nose gets dry or if you get redness or sores on your skin. Never smoke or let anyone else smoke in the same room while your oxygen is on. Doing so may cause a fire.
• Change your sleep position if you have trouble breathing when you are lying. Sleep in a position with your upper body raised to help you breathe easier. You can use foam wedges or elevate the head of your bed. Devices are available to help raise your upper body while you are in bed. Use a device that will tilt your whole body, or bend your body at the waist. The device should not bend your body at the upper back or neck.

Prevent smoke inhalation:

• Make sure electrical wiring, chimneys, wood stoves, and space heaters are working properly. Use flammable liquids safely. Store them in a locked area out of the reach of children. Use a childproof lock or latch so children cannot get to the liquids.
• Do not leave a lit cigarette. Discard cigarettes properly. Keep lighters and matches in a safe place where children cannot reach them.
• Make an escape plan in case a fire breaks out in your home. Practice it often with your family. Crawl on the floor to escape a burning building. The air will be cooler and cleaner.
• Use smoke detectors in your home. Put 1 detector on each level of your home and outside each bedroom. Check the smoke detectors regularly to make sure they are working. Change the batteries at least 1 time each year.
• If you need to escape a burning building, crawl on the floor. The air will be cooler and less filled with smoke.

Follow up with your doctor as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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