Chemical inhalation is when a person breathes in (inhales) fumes from a toxic harmful chemical. Most homes are filled with chemicals that can cause harm if a person breathes them in. They include products for cleaning and home repair. They also include gas stoves and heaters. Young children breathe fast and are small. So they're more likely to be harmed by fumes from these things.
Household products with fumes that can cause harm include:
-
Bug-killing spray.
-
Laundry detergent or cleaning products with bleach.
-
Cleaning products with ammonia.
-
Some kinds of glue.
-
Shoe polish.
-
Gasoline.
-
Cigarette smoke.
-
Rug, upholstery, and dry-cleaning chemicals.
-
Furniture and floor polish.
Symptoms of chemical inhalation depend on what's been inhaled. They can include coughing or trouble breathing. Your child may have slurred speech, slow or unsteady movements, nausea, dizziness, and other signs.
Treatment is done to support the child’s breathing and steady their heart rate. In most cases, oxygen is given. Your child may be watched in the hospital for a few hours, and then released home. A child with severe inhalation may need to stay in the hospital for 1 or more nights.
Home care
Follow the doctor’s instructions for giving any medicine to your child.
If you think your child has breathed in toxic chemical fumes:
-
Move your child away from the chemical fumes into fresh air.
-
Open all windows and doors to clear the house of fumes.
-
Call Poison Control at 800-222-1222. Follow all the instructions that you're given.
Prevention
-
Keep all toxic chemicals out of children’s reach in locked cabinets.
-
Don’t use toxic cleaning products or pesticides in the house. If you must, use them only when children aren't around. Open windows when using them.
-
Use household heaters and gas stoves safely. Learn what to do in case of a gas leak.
-
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
-
Talk with your child about the dangers of chemicals.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s doctor, or as advised.
Special note to parents
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises removing syrup of ipecac from the home. The AAP no longer advises using syrup of ipecac, which induces vomiting, to treat any suspected poisoning. Instead, the AAP advises calling
Call 911
Call
-
Your child has trouble breathing.
-
Your child has hallucinations.
-
Your child has seizures.
-
Your child loses consciousness.
When to contact your child's doctor
Contact your child's doctor right away or get immediate medical care if:
-
Your child shows abnormal, silly, or hyper behavior.
-
Your child is dizzy.
-
Your child has slow or unsteady movements.
-
Your child's speech is slurred.
-
Your child has blurry vision.
-
Your child is weak.
-
Your child is trembling.
-
Your child is coughing or has trouble breathing.
-
Your child has a headache and is irritable.
-
Your child has nausea.
-
Your child is sweating.
Featured in
Author: Wheeler, Brooke
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
