Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Dizziness, Breathing Problems, Wheezing, Weakness, Pneumonia Symptoms After Smelling Moth Balls. Side Effect?
Every time I visit a friend I notice heavy smell of moth balls and within 10-20 minutes I feel lightheaded and restriction in my breathing. I later learned she uses them in high quantities, and sprinkles them all over her house. Anytime I have visited and left her house I feel dizzy, heavy wheezing, gasping hard for air, and then at night when I am lying on my back I hear/feel crackling (like bubbles popping or rice crispy's popping) in my throat. Last year the symptoms worsened and had a fever of 103 for nearly 4 weeks with excessive coughing, wheezing, weakness, dizziness, and pneumonia like symptoms. Is this an effect from the moth balls?
Tue, 29 Oct 2013
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Moth balls contain naphthalene and they can be a chemical irritant when inhaled by many people. Looks like your respiratory tract is sensitive to the chemical in moth balls and gives rise to a hypersensitivity reaction. The crackling of throat is due to swelling of the mucosal lining of the throat and airway constriction. This gives rise to wheezing and breathing difficulties.
You should stay away form moth balls and if you are still having wheezing and dizziness, please take antihistamine medication like benadryl and go out for walk in fresh air.
Hope this helps
Thanks for writing in.
Moth balls contain naphthalene and they can be a chemical irritant when inhaled by many people. Looks like your respiratory tract is sensitive to the chemical in moth balls and gives rise to a hypersensitivity reaction. The crackling of throat is due to swelling of the mucosal lining of the throat and airway constriction. This gives rise to wheezing and breathing difficulties.
You should stay away form moth balls and if you are still having wheezing and dizziness, please take antihistamine medication like benadryl and go out for walk in fresh air.
Hope this helps
I find this answer helpful
2 Doctors agree with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....