Inhaled substance or foreign 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 or toxic (poisonous) 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 and objects in children and adults. You can also read about choking, suffocation and swallowed objects (Opens in new tab) in babies.

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

What is aspiration and why is it dangerous?

Aspiration is when you breathe in fluids.

Sometimes fluids such as water or other liquids accidentally go into the lungs instead of the stomach. This is dangerous because it can make it hard to breathe. Liquid in the lungs can block airflow, cause lung irritation or serious breathing problems.

Take these steps to reduce the risk of aspiration in children:

• Always supervise children around water, including bathtubs, pools and buckets.
• Make sure children sit upright when drinking.
• Give small amounts of liquid to young children at a time.
• If someone coughs or chokes on water, help them stay calm and upright.

If someone breathes in a large amount of water or has trouble breathing, call an ambulance immediately. If they are breathing, place them in the recovery (on their side) position (Opens in new tab).

Try to stay calm and breathe slowly and deeply. Coughing may help to dislodge the object.

If coughing doesn't help, or if the person stops breathing at any time, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Do not use the Heimlich manoeuvre (forceful squeezing of the abdomen or tummy) on children. This can cause injury.

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

When to seek emergency care

Young children are at higher risk of inhaling foreign objects.

You can reduce the risk by:

• making sure your child sits calmly when eating or drinking
• not giving hard or round foods (such as whole nuts or grapes) to children under 5 years of age
• choosing toys that are right for your child's age, and keeping toys with small parts away from children under 3 years of age
• keeping plastic items out of reach
• learning basic first aid for infants and children.

You should also keep small objects out of reach, such as:

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

If an inhaled object causes choking, this can prevent oxygen from reaching your body cells. A lack of oxygen can cause damage to your brain.

Breathing in fumes from chemicals or other harmful substances can irritate your:

• airways
• skin
• eyes

Your symptoms will depend on what you inhaled. You may have symptoms such as:

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

Symptoms of a severe reaction to an inhaled substance may include:

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

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

• Keep dangerous substances, such as cleaning and gardening products or other household chemicals, in a safe place and out of reach of children.
• Don't mix cleaning chemicals — some can create dangerous gases when combined.
• Always read and follow the safety instructions on product labels.

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

• inhale a large amount
• are repeatedly exposed to fumes

Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice if you or someone else has inhaled a dangerous substance.

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