Chemical pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs or breathing difficulty due to inhaling chemical fumes, or aspirating (breathing in and choking on) gastric acid from the stomach, mineral oil, gasoline, or other damaging chemicals.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsMany household and industrial chemicals are capable of producing both an acute and a chronic form of inflammation in the lungs. Acute chemical pneumonitis causes swelling of the lung tissue, movement of fluid into the air spaces in the lung, and less ability to absorb oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. In severe cases, death may result from lack of oxygen reaching the tissues (hypoxia).
Some of the most common dangerous, inhaled substances include:
Chronic chemical pneumonitis can occur after only low levels of exposure to the irritant over extended periods of time. This causes inflammation and may bring on fibrosis (scarring) which decreases the ability of the lungs to get oxygen to the body and release carbon dioxide as waste, and stiffening of the lung. Unchecked, this condition may ultimately lead to respiratory failure and death.
SymptomsAcute:
Chronic:
The following tests help determine how severely the lungs are affected:
Treatment is focused on reducing symptoms. Oxygen therapy may be helpful. Corticosteroids may be given to reduce inflammation. Antibiotics are usually not helpful or needed.
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome depends on the chemical agent involved, the severity of exposure, and whether the problem is acute or chronic.
ComplicationsRespiratory failure and death can occur.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have trouble breathing after inhaling (or possibly inhaling) any substance.
PreventionHousehold chemicals should be used only as directed and always in well-ventilated areas. Never mix ammonia and bleach together.
Work rules regarding breathing masks should be followed and the appropriate breathing mask should be worn. People who work near fire should take care to limit exposure to smoke or gases.
Be careful about giving mineral oil to anyone who might choke on it (children or the elderly).
Don't siphon gas or kerosene.
ReferencesMofenson HC, Caraccio TR, McGuigan M, Greensher J. Medical toxicology: ingestions, inhalations, and dermal and ocular absorptions. In: Rakel RE, Bope ET, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2008. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008: chap 291.
Chemical pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs or breathing difficulty due to inhaling chemical fumes or breathing in and choking on certain chemicals.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsMany household and industrial chemicals are capable of producing both an acute and a chronic form of inflammation in the lungs.
Some of the most common dangerous, inhaled substances include:
Chronic chemical pneumonitis can occur after only low levels of exposure to the irritant over extended periods of time. This causes inflammation and may lead to stiffness of the lungs, which decreases the ability of the lungs to get oxygen to the body. Unchecked, this condition may ultimately lead to respiratory failure and death.
Chronic aspiration of acid from the stomach can also lead to chemical pneumonitis.
SymptomsAcute:
Chronic:
The following tests help determine how severely the lungs are affected:
Treatment is focused on reversing the cause of inflammation and reducing symptoms. Corticosteroids may be given to reduce inflammation.
Antibiotics are usually not helpful or needed. Oxygen therapy may be helpful.
In cases of swallowing and stomach problems, eating small meals in the upright position can help.
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome depends on the chemical agent involved, the severity of exposure, and whether the problem is acute or chronic.
ComplicationsRespiratory failure and death can occur.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have trouble breathing after inhaling (or possibly inhaling) any substance.
PreventionHousehold chemicals should be used only as directed and always in well-ventilated areas. Never mix ammonia and bleach together.
Work rules regarding breathing masks should be followed and the appropriate breathing mask should be worn. People who work near fire should take care to limit exposure to smoke or gases.
Be careful about giving mineral oil to anyone who might choke on it (children or the elderly).
Don't siphon gas or kerosene.
ReferencesChristiani DC. Physical and chemical injuries of the lungs. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 94.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/15/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
No. Pneumonitis means inflammation of the lungs (e.g. from a chemical or a toxin), whereas pneumonia means infection of the lungs (which could be communicable).
False. Aspiration pneumonia is caused by the stomach contents or food going down into the lungs. It can cause a chemical pneumonitis and or a bacterial infection but not a viral infection.
Antibiotics where infection (pneumonia) is suspected. Bed rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid anything such as smoke, dust, or chemical fumes that could further irritate the lung tissue.
The medical term for inflammation from vomit being inhaled into the lungs is "aspiration pneumonitis" or "chemical pneumonitis." It can lead to respiratory distress and damage to the lung tissues. Treatment usually involves supportive care and sometimes antibiotics to prevent infection.
If you breath in certain types or consume it, yes. It shouldn't burn if applied on skin. If the skin is cracked or broken, probably. If applied on un-broken skin, no (unless you're allergic to something in the baby powder).
Antibiotics are indicated where the inflammation threatens the blood vessels, and could be spread. Bed rest and avoiding very cold air, smoke, chemical fumes, animal dander, dust, and anything that could worsen the inflammation or lead to pneumonia. Inhalation therapy is often used where fluid is already forming inside the lungs or where the breathing passages are being blocked.
Chemical property
No the 'swallowing' action takes stuff to your stomach. But maybe if you cough, breath in while you are eating, food could get into your trachea. This sometimes happens when you are drinking but you cough and cough to get the water out. If a pill got into your trachea you would cough to get it out and I don't think it would go all the way to the lungs.
Chemical property because acid is a chemical
Chemical formula is representative for the chemical compositon of a compound. Chemical equation is representative (describe) for a chemical reaction.
The difference between a chemical property and a chemical change is that the change is how the property of the chemical changes when it undergoes a chemical reaction.
Chemical reactions are chemical processes.