Inhalation Injuries

Burn Care

Victims of fire accidents often suffer both burns and inhalation injuries, but smoke is not the only thing that can cause an inhalation burn. Inhalation of gases and other toxic fumes can cause similar damage as a smoke inhalation injury. What makes these injuries challenging is that symptoms can be subtle or non-existent for 24-36 hours after the initial injury. Since early treatment can increase the likelihood of recovery and minimize long-term damage, spotting the signs of an inhalation injury is critical.

Inhalation injuries can range from mild irritation of the nose and throat to significant damage to the airway and lungs, depending on the duration of the exposure and what was inhaled. Although symptoms are not always obvious, there are a few things you can look for to assess whether a child has suffered an inhalation injury:

  • burns to the nose, lips, brows or neck area
  • soot in the sputum, or spit
  • singed nose hairs
  • shortness of breath
  • hoarseness or change in voice
  • complaints of throat pain
  • wheezing or coughing
  • nausea
  • sleepiness or confusion
  • burns to a large area of the body, which may indicate that the patient was unable to escape the flame

Diagnosing an Inhalation Injury

Although some of the symptoms of an inhalation injury are relatively easy to identify, understanding the severity of the injury is not always simple. If your child is suspected of having an inhalation burn, he or she will likely need to undergo testing to identify whether an injury is present and how mild or severe it may be. These tests may include:

  • chest x-ray
  • chest CT scan – a cross-sectional x-ray that allows the doctor to see things that aren’t visible via x-ray
  • CT scan of the brain
  • electrocardiogram (ECG) that tests the electrical activity of the heart
  • pulmonary function tests

Treatment of Inhalation Injuries

Treatment of inhalation injuries varies widely based on the severity of the injury and the substance that was inhaled. Your medical team will develop a treatment plan specifically for your child based on their burn injury, the degree of inhalation injury and their overall health status. Some treatments used at Shriners Hospitals for Children® include:

  • humidified oxygen to help restore oxygen levels in the airway and lung tissues
  • bronchodilators – medications that relax and dilate the bronchial passageways to improve the passage of air into the lungs
  • suction to remove excessive fluid from the airways
  • endotracheal tube – a tube inserted through either the nose or mouth to open the air passages, deliver oxygen or perform suction of mucus
  • antibiotics to control infection