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, difficulty speaking,
or inability to speak in full
sentences.
- Coughing.
- Dark-colored sputum.
- A
change in mental state, such as restlessness, confusion, or sleepiness
(lethargy).
