If your home was involved in a fire, you’ll most likely be checked out by paramedics for smoke inhalation – but what are the signs and symptoms of smoke inhalation, and what can you do about them?

Signs and Symptoms of Smoke Inhalation

Smoke inhalation occurs when you breathe in the smoke-tinged air around you during or after a fire. It’s not like wood smoke, though (which can be dangerous, too). Smoke from a house fire can contain all kinds of other contaminants, including dangerous chemicals.

Symptoms of smoke inhalation include:

  • Changes in mental status
  • Cough
  • Eye irritation
  • Headache
  • Hoarseness or noisy breathing
  • Pale or bluish, or cherry-red skin
  • Shortness of breath
  • Soot in the nostrils

These symptoms can show up right away – particularly those due to irritation from the smoke – but they can take some time, too. Your best bet is to be evaluated by a medical professional immediately.

What to Do if You’ve Inhaled Smoke

Get medical attention immediately. Inhaling smoke is dangerous, and it can cause temporary or permanent changes in your lungs – and there are other medical concerns, too. Smoke Inhalation can damage your body by limiting the amount of oxygen it’s able to bring in, and by introducing chemicals to your lungs. It can also burn your lungs (smoke is hot!).

Do You Need to Talk to a Disaster Remediation Expert in Ann Arbor?

If you’ve had a fire in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter or a nearby community, we can help.

We’re here for you whether you’re dealing with water damagefire damage or something else, and we may be able to help you start moving forward again.

Call us at 734-352-9183 or contact us online so we can schedule an appointment to analyze the situation and help you get back on track.