Smoke Inhalation

Smoke contains many particles and gases that irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. During a serious fire, they can be extremely hot and burn the inside of the mouth and lungs. One of the more common gases released is carbon dioxide. The combination of a decrease in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide makes it very difficult to breathe.

A household, vehicle, or industrial fire can also produce deadly cyanide. Another concern with most fires is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning keeps oxygen from getting to the vital organs of the body. Cyanide poisoning stops the body's cells from using oxygen. Carbon monoxide poisoning and cyanide poisoning can make it difficult to breathe even after being removed from the smoke and fire.

Symptoms of these poisonings may include:

• Fatigue and sleepiness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Irritability

• Confusion

• Convulsions (seizures)

• Death

In severe cases, there may be delayed effects. They can appear a few days to a few weeks after you are exposed. These may include:

• Memory loss

• Personality changes

• Tremors

The best treatment for mild carbon monoxide exposure is to leave the affected area. Breathe plenty of fresh air. More severe cases need treatment with oxygen for several hours. In some cases, you may be placed in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. This involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized body chamber.

Cyanide poisoning requires an antidote given by IV (intravenously).

The irritant effects of other chemicals in the smoke usually go away within 1 to 24 hours. Sometimes a pneumonia-like illness can develop after smoke inhalation. If there are burns in the mouth, throat, or lungs, it may take several days or longer for them to heal.