What is an inhaled substance or object?

Sometimes people accidentally inhale (breathe in) something they shouldn't. This might include:

• liquids
• powders
• gases
• solid items (objects)

These things often include:

• smoke from fires
• chemical and toxic fumes, including household gas (such as the gas from your kitchen stove), aerosols or glues
• food or drink that has gone down your breathing pipe (trachea) instead of the food pipe (oesophagus)
• small parts from toys
• button batteries

Inhaled objects may get stuck in your trachea or respiratory tract (airways).

This article is about inhaled substances in children and adults. Learn about choking, suffocation and swallowed objects in babies.

Some objects, such as button batteries and magnets, can cause serious harm. For more information, visit healthdirect's article on swallowed objects.

What symptoms are related to inhaling a foreign object?

If someone near you is having trouble breathing, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Sometimes, it may not be obvious that someone has inhaled something, especially if the object gets stuck further down in the respiratory tract. Signs of an inhaled foreign object might include:

• persistent wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing)
• persistent cough
• coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
• fever

If you accidentally inhale an object, you might choke. Choking is when a foreign object partially or completely blocks the throat or trachea (breathing pipe). This prevents air from reaching your lungs.

Children are naturally curious and explore their environment by putting things in their mouths and noses, which can become a choking hazard. Children also have small airways, and their cough reflex may not yet be well-developed. They are at more risk of choking than adults.

If a person is choking, they may:

• clutch at their throat
• be coughing wheezing or gagging
• have difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
• make a whistling sound, or no sounds at all
• have blue lips or face
• lose consciousness

For information about identifying and responding to choking, visit healthdirect's article on choking.

What should I do if I have inhaled an object?

If you think that someone may have inhaled an object seek urgent medical care.

Coughing may help to dislodge an inhaled object.

Do not use the Heimlich manoeuvre on children. This can cause damage to internal organs.

If your child has an object up their nose, see your doctor. They can help safely remove the object so it does not become a choking hazard.

When to seek urgent care

If an adult or child over one year is choking, call triple zero (000).

While waiting on medical help, perform first aid:

• Try to keep them calm.
• Encourage them to cough.
• Bend the person forward and apply 5 blows with the heel of your hand in between their shoulder blades.
• Check if the object has been dislodged after each blow.
• If the object is not dislodged, apply by 5 blows in the centre of the chest while supporting the person's back.
• Alternate back and chest thrusts until the ambulance arrives.

If the person becomes limp, blue or unconscious, start resuscitation while you wait for the ambulance.

You should go to the nearest emergency department if you have been advised to do so, or if you or your child have:

• trouble breathing
• coughing that won't stop
• wheezing (or a whistling sound while breathing)

How can I prevent inhalation of foreign objects?

Young children are especially vulnerable to inhaling foreign objects.

Here are some things you can do to reduce the risk of young children inhaling foreign objects:

• Make sure your child sits down quietly when eating or drinking.
• Avoid giving hard or round foods, such as whole nuts or grapes to children under 5 years of age.
• Choose age-appropriate toys for your child. Keep toys with small parts for children over 3 years of age.
• Keep plastic bags away from young children.
• Learn infant and child first-aid.

You should also keep small objects away from young children. These include:

• coins
• magnets
• batteries and buttons
• sewing needles
• safety pins

What are the complications of inhaling a foreign object?

If an inhaled object causes choking, this can prevent you from getting any oxygen. A lack of oxygen can cause damage to your brain.

What symptoms are related to inhaling a substance?

Fumes from chemicals or toxic substances can irritate your:

• airways
• skin
• eyes

Your symptoms may depend on the chemical inhaled. You may have symptoms such as:

• coughing or gagging
• burning in your nose, mouth and throat
• chest pain and discomfort
• difficulty speaking and swallowing
• difficulty breathing

Symptoms of an overdose or severe reaction to an inhaled substance may include:

• nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
• chest pain and an irregular heartbeat
• hallucinations
• fainting, seizures and coma

If you are with someone who has inhaled toxic fumes, get medical attention immediately.

What should I do if I inhale chemical or toxic fumes?

Do not try to rescue someone from an area where a toxic gas is involved. Otherwise, you may also inhale the substance. Call triple zero (000) for help from the fire brigade.

If you have inhaled chemical or toxic fumes, you should:

• get fresh air straight away — open doors and windows wide
• loosen tight clothing
• get urgent care if your condition worsens

Some cleaning products can produce toxic gases when they're mixed. If this happens, get into fresh air.

When it is safe to do so, dispose of the mixed cleaning products safely. Check for instructions on the product packaging about safe disposal.

When to seek urgent care

If you think you or someone you are with is having a severe reaction to an inhaled substance, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. Tell the triple zero operator what the substance the person inhaled was.

Place the affected person in the recovery position (on their side with their head tilted back) while awaiting the ambulance.

Check their breathing regularly. If the person:

• vomits, make sure their head is turned to the side to prevent choking
• stops breathing, start resuscitation

Inhaling substances deliberately

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of hurting themselves, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Some people may deliberately inhale vapours from common household substances, such as glue, petrol and aerosol spray. This may be to feel intoxicated (high) or to harm or injure themselves.

If you have done this, you are not alone and help is available.

How can I prevent accidental inhalation of chemical fumes?

Here are some tips to help you and your family avoid accidental inhalation of chemical fumes:

• Keep dangerous substances such as household chemicals in a safe place, away from children.
• Don't mix cleaning chemicals — some chemicals can create toxic gases when combined.
• Read and follow the safety instructions on the labels of cleaning products and household chemicals.

What are the complications of inhaling a substance?

Some chemicals can cause serious, long-term damage to your lungs and nervous system, especially if you:

• inhale a large quantity
• are repeatedly exposed to fumes

Resources and support

You can call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.