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What Are The Symptoms Of Inhaling Paint Fumes?
Question: I was using Valspar black chalkboard paint to paint a wall and the mist and fumes were very heavy. This was about three hours ago. I just looked in the mirror and noticed that both nostrils were completely black with the paint. I know it must be in my lungs too. What do I do?
Brief Answer:
So far, no symptoms so nothing to worry about
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The main cause for concern here is whether or not the paint has reached your lungs, if so you should experience symptoms like:
+Headaches
+Difficulty breathing
+Dizziness
+Confusion
+Slurred speech (not always)
+Vision disturbances
+Weakness
+Lightheadedness
If at all you are experiencing any of these symptoms then it would be most wise to report to an ER or a doctor you know. But if not, then there is nothing serious to worry about. For now, just try to drink plenty of water and breathe in fresh air without panicking.
For any other help, I am always here so do not hesitate to write back to me. Hoping you have not really inhaled much and make a speedy recovery.
Best wishes ma'am
So far, no symptoms so nothing to worry about
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The main cause for concern here is whether or not the paint has reached your lungs, if so you should experience symptoms like:
+Headaches
+Difficulty breathing
+Dizziness
+Confusion
+Slurred speech (not always)
+Vision disturbances
+Weakness
+Lightheadedness
If at all you are experiencing any of these symptoms then it would be most wise to report to an ER or a doctor you know. But if not, then there is nothing serious to worry about. For now, just try to drink plenty of water and breathe in fresh air without panicking.
For any other help, I am always here so do not hesitate to write back to me. Hoping you have not really inhaled much and make a speedy recovery.
Best wishes ma'am
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I did get a headache and my throat is quite sore. I used Q-tips to clean out my nostrils and it took more than 20 Q-tips to get all the paint out. The paint was all the way in the very back of my nostrils. The can states that if inhaled, the paint could be very dangerous and cause cancer. Do you think I don't have anything to worry about?
Patti Y.
Patti Y.
Brief Answer:
Repeated exposure develops a risk for cancer, not one time like yours
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Unfortunately there is nothing much we can do if the paint has reached the lungs, the only thing we can hope for at this point in time is for your lungs to either not be affected by it or somehow help expel it. The treatment is only symptomatic like pain management medications for the headaches, plenty of water to clear the fumes from your throat, etc.
There should not be a risk for cancer as this was a one time exposure, from repeated exposure the risk for cancer develops ma'am.
Best wishes.
Repeated exposure develops a risk for cancer, not one time like yours
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Unfortunately there is nothing much we can do if the paint has reached the lungs, the only thing we can hope for at this point in time is for your lungs to either not be affected by it or somehow help expel it. The treatment is only symptomatic like pain management medications for the headaches, plenty of water to clear the fumes from your throat, etc.
There should not be a risk for cancer as this was a one time exposure, from repeated exposure the risk for cancer develops ma'am.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I forgot to mention that the chalkboard paint I was using was in a spray can and I used the entire can before leaving the room (I know, stupid thing to do, right?).
I had a bad headache last night and today I have one too. I just want to make sure everything will be ok. I have a cough too but it's not that bad.
Anyway I was breathing the fumes and mist for at least 30-40 minutes before I realized just how bad it was in the room. I had a small window opened in the room but apparently that wasn't enough.
Can you reassure me that I will be ok and nothing bad is going to happen to me?
Thank you for your time. I appreciate any information you can give me.
Sincerely,
Patti Y.
I had a bad headache last night and today I have one too. I just want to make sure everything will be ok. I have a cough too but it's not that bad.
Anyway I was breathing the fumes and mist for at least 30-40 minutes before I realized just how bad it was in the room. I had a small window opened in the room but apparently that wasn't enough.
Can you reassure me that I will be ok and nothing bad is going to happen to me?
Thank you for your time. I appreciate any information you can give me.
Sincerely,
Patti Y.
Brief Answer:
Let's hope your symptoms subside soon; visit ER just for safety reasons
Detailed Answer:
Hello Patti.
As mentioned before, if you do have the symptoms I had previously mentioned you should go to a doctor you know or the ER, who will help you with a more detailed evaluation and also with some clean oxygen to avoid the headache which is most probably an onset of poor oxygen supply to the lungs due to the inhaled paint.
So if you can, and if you have the insurance then why not visit an ER, just to make sure all is well. I did mention earlier that if the paint has indeed reached your lungs, there is nothing much we can do to remove it or prevent it from causing much harm, so the treatment is mostly just symptomatic at this point in time.
So as you do have a headache, you should go to the ER, just to make sure all is well. Not going to the ER is not worth risking when we have your well being and health to consider, don't you think?
I am always here for you Patti, so please do not hesitate to write to me about anything.
Best wishes.
Let's hope your symptoms subside soon; visit ER just for safety reasons
Detailed Answer:
Hello Patti.
As mentioned before, if you do have the symptoms I had previously mentioned you should go to a doctor you know or the ER, who will help you with a more detailed evaluation and also with some clean oxygen to avoid the headache which is most probably an onset of poor oxygen supply to the lungs due to the inhaled paint.
So if you can, and if you have the insurance then why not visit an ER, just to make sure all is well. I did mention earlier that if the paint has indeed reached your lungs, there is nothing much we can do to remove it or prevent it from causing much harm, so the treatment is mostly just symptomatic at this point in time.
So as you do have a headache, you should go to the ER, just to make sure all is well. Not going to the ER is not worth risking when we have your well being and health to consider, don't you think?
I am always here for you Patti, so please do not hesitate to write to me about anything.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr Kahn. Since there really isn't anything they can do to get the paint out of my lungs, I think I will wait it out and see if the symptoms subside. One of the reasons I am so worried about it is because I am having major surgery in two weeks and I am worried about my breathing being effected during surgery. But I guess it will be ok. If my symptoms don't get any worse, and I improve in the next couple of days I won't worry about it. I'm sure I will be fine. My breathing is good.
Thank you for all your time spent with me.
Patti Y.
Thank you for all your time spent with me.
Patti Y.
Brief Answer:
I hope for the same too :)
Detailed Answer:
Hi once again.
Yes, I too believe and strongly hope you will get better in the next few days. But if you experience any worsening of your symptoms, do not wait as the more you wait the closer you get to your surgery date which gives your doctor less amount of time to help you recover and get ready for surgery.
But being positive and hoping for the best, and based on your ability to communicate with me without much trouble I am guessing you should get better soon. I hope and pray you always experience good health.
God bless you.
I hope for the same too :)
Detailed Answer:
Hi once again.
Yes, I too believe and strongly hope you will get better in the next few days. But if you experience any worsening of your symptoms, do not wait as the more you wait the closer you get to your surgery date which gives your doctor less amount of time to help you recover and get ready for surgery.
But being positive and hoping for the best, and based on your ability to communicate with me without much trouble I am guessing you should get better soon. I hope and pray you always experience good health.
God bless you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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