You can become poisoned by paint fumes by briefly staying in a room heavily contaminated with fumes or by prolonged inhalation of such fumes. Paint poisoning occurs through the respiratory tract if the rules for working with toxic volatile substances are not followed (ignoring personal protective equipment) or paint is ingested by small children.
Intoxication of the body occurs not only due to heavy metal salts that make up paints, but also due to synthetic dyes and solvents. Paint materials used for painting walls are considered especially toxic: alkyd paints, enamels, aerosols and adhesive-based paints.
Particles of the substance, when inhaled, enter the respiratory tract, from there into the blood and spread throughout the body, exerting a toxic effect on all organs and systems.
- Irritation of skin and mucous membranes.
- Burn of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, larynx, trachea and bronchi.
- Intoxication of lung tissue.
- Toxic effect on the cardiovascular system.
- Damage to the reproductive organs: during pregnancy, they can have a teratogenic effect on the fetus, causing deformities.
- Toxic effect on the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys.
Vapors of toxic substances affect all major systems of the body - respiratory, digestive, nervous and genitourinary.
You can become poisoned by inhaling paint fumes or combustion products, ingestion (by small children) and tactile contact - penetration through the skin.
Causes of poisoning from paints and varnishes
Along with material costs, renovating an apartment is sometimes harmful to health.
Most paints and varnishes are toxic.
If the owner of the house performs work without following safety rules, he may be poisoned by the smell of paint. Evaporating chemicals entering the body through the respiratory tract cause intoxication.
The heavy metals they contain – arsenic, lead, copper, zinc – cause harm to the body. In addition to them, the materials contain synthetic dyes. Solvents with volatile ingredients pose an even greater health risk:
- butyl acetate;
- trichloroethane;
- toluene;
- acetone;
- dimethyl ketone;
- carbon tetrachloride;
- butanol;
- solvent.
All paints used at home during repairs and in everyday life are toxic to one degree or another. Products used to paint walls are considered especially harmful:
- Alkyd paints contain many chemical additives. Of these, oil products have pronounced negative properties.
- Aerosol spray solutions penetrate most deeply into the respiratory system, damaging the pulmonary alveoli.
- Adhesive-based paints cause additional negative effects.
- There are known cases of harm to health from alkyd enamel of the PF brand used to paint the walls of the entrance.
- Water-dispersion, silicate, and emulsion solutions are relatively safe.
Toxin poisoning occurs not only from paints during repairs, but also from careless use of household chemicals. For example, “Whiteness” contains toxic chlorine or alkali .
Women who use hair dyes may experience headaches and allergic reactions from ammonia in these products.
Vinegar poisoning often occurs in everyday life if it is not stored or used correctly. Intoxication with mercury vapor develops when inhaling liquid metal vapor from a broken thermometer or fluorescent lamp.
Poisoning with paint and its vapors: symptoms, treatment at home – Website about poisoning
› Chemical poisoning ›
Cosmetic or major repairs are not only fraught with significant expenses - they can cause significant damage to health. The fact is that most paints and varnishes have a high degree of toxicity. If safety regulations are not followed, their fumes penetrate the body and cause intoxication.
The chemical composition of such materials contains salts of heavy metals - copper, lead, zinc and arsenic. In addition, to obtain a rich shade, synthetic dyes are introduced into solutions. But the greatest danger is posed by highly volatile solvents:
- acetone;
- toluene;
- butanol;
- solvent;
- dimethyl ketone;
- trichlorethylene;
- butyl acetate;
- carbon tetrachloride.
Through the mucous membranes they enter the blood and spread throughout all internal systems.
The relatively safe dosage of a chemical varies depending on the degree of toxicity of the toxic substance and the individual characteristics of the body.
Intoxication poses the greatest danger to young children, allergy sufferers, and people with chronic respiratory pathologies and weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of paint vapor poisoning
The smallest aerosols, entering through the respiratory tract, are absorbed into the blood and then spread to all organs. If you smell paint, the following changes occur in the body:
- increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure;
- damage to the reproductive system;
- chemical burn of the throat and bronchi;
- upon contact with skin, the paint causes irritation or allergies;
- inflammation of the lung tissue;
- synthetic resins included in floor varnish cause allergies, especially in children;
- teratogenic effect – damage to the fetus of pregnant women;
- blurred vision due to damage to the cornea;
- If swallowed, dyes cause liver and kidney damage.
If you inhale paint, acute poisoning occurs. Its severity depends on the concentration of vapors in the air of the apartment. If the safe level is exceeded, paint vapors threaten the health of every person. Women are especially sensitive to them during pregnancy. People experience symptoms of paint poisoning:
- dizziness;
- disorientation in space;
- burning in the throat and eyes;
- redness of the conjunctiva and lacrimation;
- smell of acetone coming from the mouth;
- diarrhea;
- redness, itching of the skin;
- severe nausea with bouts of vomiting;
- increase in body temperature to 38–39 °C;
- cough, sneezing;
- sleep disturbance;
- pale or blue skin;
- stomach ache;
- rapid breathing;
- drowsiness;
- loss of consciousness;
- convulsions.
Signs of poisoning with alkyd wall paint are observed among those who like to do their own repairs. Intoxication also develops when inhaling acetone vapor while painting the floor with varnish. The substance is a mild narcotic toxin. Causes euphoria similar to alcohol intoxication, headache, dizziness. In large doses it affects the kidneys.
How to treat an unpleasant odor in the nose?
What to do if you are haunted by an unpleasant smell in your nose? First of all, it is worth understanding the cause of this pathology. To do this, you need to undergo a diagnostic test.
It may include various research methods, depending on what disease your doctor suspects you have.
If the problem was caused by a bacterial infection, the patient may be prescribed drug therapy. In some cases, surgical treatment is also used, for example, for polyps or adenoiditis.
Some patients are interested in the question of how to get rid of olfactory hallucinations. Since conditions such as phantosmia and parosmia are consequences of other diseases or injuries, in this case it is extremely important to find the root cause.
In any case, treatment begins with contacting a qualified otolaryngologist and quality diagnosis.
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Some patients are interested in the question of how to get rid of olfactory hallucinations. Since conditions such as phantosmia and parosmia are consequences of other diseases or injuries, in this case it is extremely
it is important to find the root cause.
A pregnant woman, an elderly person, an employee who is tired from work can have low hemoglobin... Why does it decrease and how to deal with it? Hemoglobin is a protein contained in red blood cells, one of the most important blood indicators. It carries oxygen to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. Depending on whether hemoglobin is increased or decreased, one can judge the patient’s diseases. For example, low hemoglobin may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia (i.e. the body does not have enough iron). The normal level of hemoglobin in the blood is 110-165 g/l, and it is higher in men. The hemoglobin level is shown by a general blood test. The letters RBC stand for erythrocytes, or red blood cells. The number of red blood cells should be from 3.8 to 5.8 million per 1 ml. If it is less than normal, it means there are not enough red blood cells, which indirectly indicates anemia. To confirm or refute the diagnosis, the doctor looks at the hemoglobin (HGB) level. If the reading is also low, this may be evidence of anemia.
DANGEROUS SHORTAGE
There are many reasons why hemoglobin decreases and anemia develops. The most common is iron deficiency. This may be a consequence of its indigestibility (this happens when taking certain medications, after undergoing operations of the stomach, intestines, or in diseases of these organs). Hemoglobin may also decrease in those who are on a strict diet or in people who suffer from bleeding problems (for example, heavy periods, nosebleeds, tumors). People with heart or respiratory failure or angina pectoris should be especially careful - often these diseases are aggravated by anemia. Iron supplements help normalize hemoglobin levels. They are available in the form of tablets, capsules, drops, injection solution and even syrup. However, you should not select them for yourself, relying on the advice of friends or a pharmacist at the pharmacy - you can seriously harm them. For example, incorrectly selected iron supplements can negatively affect the gastrointestinal mucosa (bloating, belching, bowel dysfunction, etc.). Therefore, be sure to consult a doctor - depending on the condition of the body, chronic and past diseases, he will select the right form of medication and dosage. Fatigue, tinnitus, spots in the eyes, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting - all this may be a sign that hemoglobin is low. If there is not enough iron in the body, nails break and peel, hair falls out, and cracks appear in the corners of the mouth. Doctors also note a strange desire of such patients to eat toothpaste, chalk, coal, earth, ice. The need to smell gasoline, exhaust fumes, fresh printing ink, and whitewash is also a reason to check your hemoglobin level.
Products that increase hemoglobin: Meat by-products - liver, kidneys, tongue. Buckwheat, beans, peas, chocolate, porcini mushrooms, blueberries. Oatmeal, millet, eggs, beef, lamb, apples, pears, persimmons, quince, pomegranate, figs, dogwood, nuts.
First aid for poisoning by paints and varnishes
Everyone should know basic measures that will help prevent poisoning from paint fumes. Forewarned is forearmed. For mild signs of intoxication, it is enough to take self-help measures:
- First of all, you need to leave the room where repairs are being carried out, preferably go outside. Change clothes that have absorbed toxins. These actions will stop further vapor absorption.
- To relieve the condition, rinse the damaged body segments and eyes with tap water. Rinse your mouth.
- If you feel nauseous, drink water and induce vomiting. Then take enterosorbents - Polysorb, 5-6 tablets of activated carbon with water or Enterosgel.
- Toxicologists do not recommend taking a popular product - milk - in case of paint poisoning. It only makes the condition worse.
- To speed up the elimination of toxins, drink plenty of fluids in small doses: 50-100 ml every half hour.
When trying to remove varnishes and paints, do not rub the skin with a rag or washcloth . The expanded capillaries enhance the absorption of toxins. Simply remove the substance with a cotton swab.
If a person loses consciousness, call an emergency team and hold a cotton swab with ammonia to his nose. Lay the victim on his side, turning his head, bend the underlying leg at the knee joint to stabilize the position.
Video: dangerous paints (Elena Malysheva)
Renovation transforms the room, makes it clean and cozy. But if you don’t follow basic safe work rules, paint poisoning is not that uncommon.
Let's find out what paints and varnishes are made of and how they affect humans. How to help an injured person. What measures can help protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of paints?
Treatment of poisoning
The victim is taken to the toxicology department in serious condition.
Poisoning of any severity in children and pregnant women requires medical intervention.
Medicines
In the hospital, doctors treat paint poisoning depending on the severity of the patient’s condition:
- intravenously infused solutions that remove toxic components from the blood and organs;
- carry out forced diuresis using diuretics;
- if necessary, medications are administered to improve cardiac activity;
- liver damage is treated with hepatoprotectors (Essentiale, Silibor, Karsil);
- immunomodulators and vitamins are used.
Is it dangerous to breathe paint if you are planning to become pregnant?
Why is it harmful to breathe paint if a woman is planning to have a child? This especially applies to the days when implantation of the embryo itself occurs, which comes into contact with the mother’s blood. If at an early stage there is a disruption in the formation of the fetus, then this threatens spontaneous abortion.
Thus, women who are going to carry out any painting work should definitely wear respirators, or abandon their idea altogether. Also, as a note, you can read the article on how to easily remove paint from clothes.
Consequences
As a result of paint vapor poisoning, all organs are affected. The respiratory tract is damaged first. Long-term painting work leads to the following consequences:
- allergic reactions occur - rhinitis, conjunctivitis;
- a burn of the bronchial mucosa is accompanied by shortness of breath with difficulty breathing;
- paint vapors, irritating the conjunctiva, lead to visual impairment up to complete blindness;
- hallucinations, convulsions are caused by damage to the nervous system;
- after the absorption of chemical toxins into the blood, the kidneys and liver are affected with the development of functional failure of these organs;
- patients suffer from frequent headaches and sleep disturbances;
- chronic gastritis, gastroduodenitis develops;
- laryngitis with hoarseness due to damage to the vocal cords.
Smells in the nose: types and causes
An unpleasant odor occurs in the nose infrequently. According to patient complaints, this phenomenon usually accompanies the underlying disease in the anamnesis. There are many reasons for the occurrence of the symptom, so a comprehensive examination cannot be avoided. At the reception, people complain about a specific unpleasant aroma. Most often it is felt clearly. Such manifestations indicate pathological processes or changes occurring in the nasal cavity.
sulfur; burning; rot; acetone; gland; ammonia; dust.
The burning smell in most cases is a side effect or reaction of the body to long-term use of medications. Classes of medications vary, so the symptom occurs in people with different medical conditions.
A putrid aroma manifests itself in the nasal cavity under the influence of the corresponding microflora. It is a symptom of suppuration of the paranasal sinuses, which can lead to sinusitis or sinusitis. The cause of the ammonia odor is a pathology that occurs in the liver or kidneys. In order for the smell to disappear, you will need to undergo therapy that will eliminate the problem in these organs.
A metallic smell can occur in the event of bleeding in the nasal cavity, injuries that cause damage to blood vessels or tissues.
It may also indicate poisoning or a side effect of certain medications. Particles from the environment enter the nasal cavity when inhaled, resulting in an iron smell.
The sensation of acetone in the nasal cavity occurs due to complications caused by diabetes mellitus. In this case, complex and lengthy therapy will be required. The smell of sulfur occurs when there are problems with the liver, allergic reactions of the body, or disorders of the nervous system.
Odors arising in the nasal cavity can be felt not only by people who encounter them, but also by those around them.
That is why it is necessary to undergo a special examination by a specialist.
All scents cause discomfort to a person, so getting rid of them is a top priority.
Extraneous odors that cause obvious discomfort in 99% of cases occur when there is a certain progressive disease in the body - a certain cause that requires immediate elimination.
In 5-6% of cases, the presence of aroma in the nasal cavity becomes idiopathic, that is, permanent, the cause of which could not be determined after examination.
ozena or offensive rhinitis; acute form of sinusitis; inflammatory processes in the sinuses; sinusitis; metabolic disorders; problems with the gastrointestinal tract; kidney pathology; liver disorders; allergic reactions occurring in acute form; bacterial form of infection; thyroid diseases; diabetes.
A feeling of unpleasant odor in the nose also occurs with parosmia. In this case, disturbances in the function of smell are observed.
No additional stimulation is required to perceive the aroma.
To get rid of this disorder, additional therapy prescribed by a neurologist will be required.
The appearance of an unpleasant odor can also be caused by the presence of a foreign object/body of any diameter in the nasal cavity. As a result, the accumulation of fluid, under the influence of bacteria in which a purulent substance is formed. Pathological disorders are often caused by hormonal imbalance or the presence of olfactory hallucinations.
Prevention
To avoid toxic paint poisoning during work, it is enough to follow the safety rules:
- It is preferable to use water-soluble paints, applying them with a roller rather than a brush. When aerosol spraying occurs, the worker actively inhales toxic substances.
- Paint walls, ceilings and floors in a special respirator with replaceable cartridges. No cotton mask can protect the respiratory organs from damage.
- Use safety glasses and rubber gloves.
- During the period of painting furniture, the room must be ventilated or provided with ventilation.
- During work, take breaks and periodically leave the repair area. As soon as the smell of acetone appears in your mouth, immediately go out into clean air.
- The protective measure includes choosing safe paints that do not have an aggressive odor. These include powder materials that are used to paint walls in a child’s room and a room where people with allergies live. Even when heated, these paints do not emit toxic substances that can lead to poisoning.
- Safe acrylic paint is recommended for painting furniture.
Keep solvents and gasoline in special closed places. Keep paint and varnish materials out of the reach of children.
Paints and varnishes are chemicals that can cause serious harm to health if handled incorrectly. To avoid the negative consequences of their use, it is enough to follow the above advice from chemists and doctors.
Paint is a chemical substance that is widely used in household projects and on production sites. People work with a huge variety of paints - acrylic, oil, nitro paint and others. The man often works with wood paints or varnish. A woman usually interacts with floor and wall enamel. Sometimes poisoning occurs from hair dye. Certain types of paints are suitable for use by children. But the mentioned chemical solution poses a danger to human health. Working with paint often ends in poisoning. At the first signs, urgent assistance is required - this will prevent the occurrence of negative consequences.
When is hospitalization needed and possible consequences?
To avoid serious consequences, you must be examined by a doctor. With its help, find out a complete picture of the state of vital organs, establish the characteristics of the body’s reaction to the negative influence of toxins.
During hospitalization, the patient will be able to get rid of the remnants of toxic substances, cure or prevent complications from developing.
Incorrect identification of the type of chemical that caused poisoning, inaccurate diagnosis, or failure to contact specialists will lead to the appearance of serious diseases that are difficult and take a long time to treat.
The article was approved by the editors
Causes of paint intoxication
Poisoning occurs most often from toxic fumes. The reason is non-compliance with safety measures. It often happens at home when doing repair work yourself. Any enamel is a dangerous and toxic solution. The child may inhale, which leads to acute intoxication of the body. The peak of poisoning occurs in spring and summer. The smell is present almost everywhere - at home, in the entrance, even in playgrounds and other public places. It's easy to get poisoned by staying nearby for a long time.
Small children can drink the solution, but this rarely happens because... All enamels have a strong unpleasant odor. Solvents are also dangerous and should be kept out of the reach of children. Ingestion can result in death.
The chemical composition of paints is saturated with heavy metal salts, solvents, and synthetic dyes. The toxic substance is quickly absorbed into the blood and spreads throughout the body, causing a malfunction.
It is difficult to say how much paint you will need to inhale to cause intoxication. To do this, you need to take into account a number of factors - the type of substance, the physical condition of the person.
Let us highlight the causes of poisoning:
- Inhalation when painting large areas for a long time;
- You have to work in a room with poor or no ventilation;
- Painting takes place in the heat or in a room where the temperature is too high - drying occurs faster, substances evaporate;
- Working without protective equipment;
- Use of low-quality paint;
- Using old dye and diluting it yourself with a solvent.
Sometimes intoxication occurs when old painted boards are disposed of by burning - vapors are released into the air. The main reason is careless handling of paint. In the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), paint poisoning is listed under code T65.6.
Basic solutions to the problem
Conservative action is the fight against an infection existing in the body that has caused the formation of odor. The process also removes purulent or mucous crusts. It includes taking medications and sanitizing (rinsing) the nasal cavity. As a result, the unpleasant odor in the nose disappears when inhaling or exhaling.
Use of medications - the use of antibacterial drugs in combination with other drugs (oils, drops, sprays). Treatment with herbal remedies - solutions and infusions based on chamomile or calendula, as well as aloe. They are most often used for washing and relieving inflammation.
Sometimes, in advanced or chronic cases, a person can only be helped through surgery. The technique is used in case of blockage of the nasal passage with a mucous or purulent plug, as well as a foreign body. After this exposure, it is recommended to include conservative, medicinal treatments in therapy, as well as the use of herbal remedies for subsequent prevention.
Signs of intoxication
In case of poisoning by toxic fumes, symptoms appear within 2 hours. Sometimes the discomfort is felt within an hour - depending on the quality of the product.
Symptoms of paint poisoning:
- There is marked weakness in the body and muscles;
- The cornea of the eyes and the area around them becomes red, a burning sensation is felt;
- Profuse lacrimation;
- Sharp, prolonged pain in the head, accompanied by dizziness;
- Attacks of nausea with intense vomiting;
- Profuse watery diarrhea;
- Frequent breathing with attacks of suffocation;
- There is a pungent odor of acetone in the mouth;
- The skin becomes white;
- Deep fainting.
Consequences of paint poisoning
Intoxication from the smell of paint often has negative consequences and health complications. The digestive organs and heart muscle take the first blow. Without medical assistance, the following complications may occur:
- Hypotension develops - upper and lower pressures are set to minimum values for a long time.
- Chronic hypotension leads to the development of heart failure.
- The mucous membranes of the respiratory tract after a burn provoke the development of respiratory pathologies.
- After ingestion of a chemical solution, a severe burn occurs in the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach, which leads to peptic ulcer disease and pathology of the pancreas.
- Acute renal and liver failure is noted.
- Difficulty with vision often occurs and can lead to dangerous damage to the optic nerve.
Is it harmful for pregnant women to breathe paint?
It is known that there are different types of paints. Some are practically odorless, but others contain solvents that have a strong smell. In addition, it is the volatile types of such solvents that contain toluene, butanol, and carbon tetrachloride that are considered dangerous. If a pregnant woman breathes paint, what harm does she do to her body? As a result, the kidneys, liver, and blood can be seriously damaged. In addition, the smell of paint has an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system.
If you inhale more caustic fumes, especially during pregnancy, this will lead to subsequent poisoning.
First aid
Timely first aid often helps save lives and prevent complications. A person needs fresh air and is supposed to stop exposure to toxic fumes. If someone is poisoned, it is better to immediately go outside and try to find a place where there are no toxic fumes.
You can’t stay in the room with paint any longer - it’s dangerous for the victim! It is better to carry out assistance procedures outdoors or indoors without toxin.
You need to call the ambulance team and describe the patient’s condition in detail. The dispatcher will tell you what to do next. Treatment is carried out in a hospital in the toxicology department. Before the doctors arrive, you need to help the patient:
- You should not enter a room with a toxic odor; you should stay outside or go to a room without paint.
- The skin on the face, hands and eyes should be thoroughly washed with warm water.
- Gastric lavage. Eliminate some toxic substances - it is better to use clean water without chemical impurities. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
- After this you need to drink the sorbent. It will help remove the poison and improve the patient’s well-being. It is acceptable to use Activated Carbon, Smecta or Polysorb.
- Before the doctors arrive, a person should drink a lot of fluids - warm strong tea with sugar, dried fruit compote, milk or mineral water.
- If the patient is unconscious, it is necessary to lay him down so that vomit does not enter the respiratory tract, and monitor his condition - monitor the presence of breathing and heartbeat. If there are no signs of pulse and breathing, perform resuscitation procedures.
You cannot take other medications at home on your own, except for sorbents. This can worsen the condition and be fatal, especially in a child.
Consequences and prevention
Paint intoxication can lead to complications.
- Conjunctivitis,
- Diseases of the bronchi and lungs,
- Kidney and liver failure,
- Diseases of the digestive system,
- Disruption of the normal functioning of the nervous system.
To prevent poisoning from such toxic substances, it is recommended to adhere to some preventive measures.
- Working with the substance requires special protective equipment,
- The room must have good ventilation,
- Do not leave paint cans open to avoid poisoning in children.
- Do not dilute paint materials yourself,
- Immediately after work leave the room where painting was done,
- While working, take a break and go out into the fresh air.
Treatment in hospital
Ambulance doctors will provide qualified assistance to the patient - listen to breathing and pulse, and assess blood pressure. For an accurate history, it is necessary to talk in detail about the cause of the illness and the symptoms that were present after poisoning.
To maintain vitality, the patient is connected to an oxygen mask and a drip with medicinal solutions.
The patient must be treated in a hospital; the patient is hospitalized immediately. The duration of treatment depends on the degree of damage to the body and the physical characteristics of the person. Can last 3 days, reaches a month.
Therapy consists of activities:
- A course of drips with rehydration solutions is prescribed to relieve dehydration.
- Drugs are administered to remove toxins.
- It is necessary to use special medications to maintain the heart muscle and respiratory system.
- Repeated gastric lavage is done with a special medical probe.
- Severe intoxication is treated with blood transfusion.
- Medicines containing probiotics restore the stomach.
To clarify the degree of poisoning, it is recommended to undergo a more detailed laboratory examination:
- Donate blood for general and biochemical analysis.
- Mandatory urine test for changes in data.
- X-ray and ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
- Undergo fluorography of the lungs.
- Heart function is analyzed after a cardiogram.
If a burn of the tract and mucous membrane of the lungs is detected, a bronchoscopy procedure is performed. A special probe is used to study the internal state of the respiratory organs - it is inserted through the nose, sometimes through the mouth.
During treatment, a special diet is prescribed that excludes heavy foods. This will help relieve the burden on your digestion and restore strength faster. Inhalation treatment with beneficial herbs is also prescribed.
Treatment methods: drug therapy and more
After the examination, the patient is recommended to undergo conservative or surgical treatment of unpleasant odor in the nose.
Conservative therapy is aimed at fighting infection and eliminating dry crusts.
rinsing the nasal passages with hydrogen peroxide solutions and physical agents; taking antibiotics; laying turundles with a proteolytic effect; prescription of streptomycin, xanthinol nicotinate; physiotherapy: electrophoresis, UHF, diathermy (heating the nasal mucosa with electric current).
If the causes of unpleasant odor in the nose lie in systemic diseases, first of all, treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying disease.
Surgery
With an advanced form of the disease, in most cases, it is impossible to do without surgical intervention. Surgery is also necessary in cases where the unpleasant symptom is caused by a displacement of the nasal septum.
Traditional treatment
Alternative medicine offers its own methods of treating foul odor from the nose. It should be remembered that folk remedies are only an addition to the main method of therapy.
Herbal mixture of wormwood, sage and mint. Steam 5 tbsp in 1 liter of boiling water. l. crushed herbs, infuse in a thermal container for about two hours. The finished mixture is taken 200 ml 3 times a day. Bulb onions. Grind a medium-sized head on a fine grater, add ¼ tbsp to the mixture. boiled water and ½ des. l. honey
If you experience an unpleasant odor from your nose, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the exact cause of the symptom. Otherwise, it can lead to serious consequences.
The body tells a person that changes are happening to him in different ways - pain, spasms, disorders of various kinds occur. Another signal that cannot be ignored is a foreign smell in the nose. The causes of this problem must be found out immediately in order to begin a course of treatment.
In 95% of cases, a symptom indicates the presence of a disease, so it is very important to undergo a diagnostic examination by a specialist. Research will help determine the causes of foreign odors. Therapy started in the early stages will help get rid of the problem in a short time.
- rinsing the nasal passages with hydrogen peroxide solutions and physical agents;
- taking antibiotics;
- laying turundles with a proteolytic effect;
- prescription of streptomycin, xanthinol nicotinate;
- physiotherapy: electrophoresis, UHF, diathermy (heating the nasal mucosa with electric current).
- Herbal mixture of wormwood, sage and mint. Steam 5 tbsp in 1 liter of boiling water. l. crushed herbs, infuse in a thermal container for about two hours. The finished mixture is taken 200 ml 3 times a day.
- Bulb onions. Grind a medium-sized head on a fine grater, add ¼ tbsp to the mixture. boiled water and ½ des. l. honey Leave the mixture to infuse for 30 minutes, filter. Instill the resulting liquid into the nasal passages: 2-3 drops 5-6 rubles/day.
- Rinse the nose with an extract of aloe with water, a solution with sea salt.
Prevention
To avoid poisoning from paint and other related products, a number of preventive measures must be followed:
- When working with paints, use protective equipment - gloves, a respirator and goggles.
- For indoor work, it is ideal to adjust the ventilation.
- After finishing work, always close the containers with the solution and hide them from children.
- You cannot dilute paints with chemical solvents yourself.
- You must leave the room where paint and varnish work was carried out immediately after the completion of the process.
- Carry out painting with periodic breaks.
Following simple rules will prevent poisoning and maintain health. At the first ailments, you should not treat yourself. It's better to see a doctor.
Paint is a chemical substance. It is often used by people during renovation work. Poisoning with it can cause irreparable harm to human health. In this article, we examined in detail paint poisoning, causes, symptoms, first aid principles and treatment of this condition.
How can you get paint poisoning?
Paints are chemical compounds used to give surfaces a specific shade.
Such products are highly toxic; their vapors can cause irreparable harm to the human body. The chemical composition of paints includes salts of heavy metals, various synthetic dyes, and solvents. Substances penetrate into the blood, spread throughout the body and cause disruption of systems and internal organs.
It is impossible to name the exact dosage at which a toxic product will cause poisoning. This indicator varies depending on the type of paint. Why is the development of intoxication possible? There are several most likely causes that contribute to the occurrence of unpleasant symptoms.
- Painting surfaces with large areas,
- Working with chemicals in areas with poor ventilation,
- Carrying out work at elevated air temperatures, this promotes accelerated evaporation of chemical compounds,
- Lack of necessary protective equipment,
- Using poor quality paint
- Diluting old dyes yourself using solvents.
Paint odor poisoning can also occur when old painted elements are burned (toxic fumes are released). In adults, hair dye intoxication may occur. These products contain different chemicals with specific odors. Before use, a test for allergic reactions is required. However, not everyone follows the instructions. Therefore, hair dye poisoning is diagnosed.
Thus, intoxication occurs as a result of several reasons, but in most cases, human inattention and failure to comply with safety precautions are to blame. The disease is included in the International Classification of Diseases and has a code according to ICD 10 - T65.6
Main causes of paint poisoning
Poisoning by paint fumes most often occurs due to non-compliance with safety rules when performing home repairs yourself. The peak of such poisonings occurs in the spring and summer.
A person may inhale paint while it is being applied to a surface or while it is drying. In rare cases, poisoning occurs due to ingestion of paint by children. Such conditions are dangerous and often result in death.
What is the danger of paint for humans?
How dangerous is paint poisoning? What can happen to the body during such intoxication?
- Lowered blood pressure, increased heartbeat due to problems with blood supply. The result is the development of heart failure.
- Poisoning with paint vapors causes burns to the mucous membrane and disruption of the respiratory process.
- Ingestion of a toxic substance provokes the appearance of burns and ulcerative lesions on the mucous membranes of the stomach and esophagus.
- Paint fumes adversely affect the condition of the visual organs and lead to visual impairment.
Severe poisoning can cause coma and death.
Clinical manifestations of paint poisoning
In case of paint vapor poisoning, symptoms appear within 1-2 hours after contact with it. The patient's condition is rapidly deteriorating, he develops:
- weakness;
- redness of the conjunctiva, lacrimation, burning sensation in the eyes;
- acute, unbearable headache;
- dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- profuse diarrhea;
- tachypnea – rapid breathing, shortness of breath may occur;
- smell of acetone from the mouth;
- pale skin;
- loss of consciousness.
What happens if you drink paint? With oral paint poisoning, symptoms appear quickly, within 5-10 minutes. Signs of acute poisoning develop. These include:
- severe abdominal pain;
- heartburn, burning sensation in the mouth, esophagus and stomach;
- smell of acetone from the mouth;
- nausea and vomiting;
- profuse diarrhea;
- tachycardia - rapid heartbeat;
- impaired consciousness, possible coma.
Paint poisoning: symptoms, first aid and treatment at home
Renovation transforms the room, makes it clean and cozy. But if you don’t follow basic safe work rules, paint poisoning is not that uncommon.
Let's find out what paints and varnishes are made of and how they affect humans. How to help an injured person. What measures can help protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of paints?
Causes of poisoning from paints and varnishes
Along with material costs, renovating an apartment is sometimes harmful to health.
Most paints and varnishes are toxic.
If the owner of the house performs work without following safety rules, he may be poisoned by the smell of paint. Evaporating chemicals entering the body through the respiratory tract cause intoxication.
The heavy metals they contain – arsenic, lead, copper, zinc – cause harm to the body. In addition to them, the materials contain synthetic dyes. Solvents with volatile ingredients pose an even greater health risk:
- butyl acetate;
- trichloroethane;
- toluene;
- acetone;
- dimethyl ketone;
- carbon tetrachloride;
- butanol;
- solvent.
All paints used at home during repairs and in everyday life are toxic to one degree or another. Products used to paint walls are considered especially harmful:
- Alkyd paints contain many chemical additives. Of these, oil products have pronounced negative properties.
- Aerosol spray solutions penetrate most deeply into the respiratory system, damaging the pulmonary alveoli.
- Adhesive-based paints cause additional negative effects.
- There are known cases of harm to health from alkyd enamel of the PF brand used to paint the walls of the entrance.
- Water-dispersion, silicate, and emulsion solutions are relatively safe.
Toxin poisoning occurs not only from paints during repairs, but also from careless use of household chemicals. For example, “Whiteness” contains toxic chlorine or alkali .
Women who use hair dyes may experience headaches and allergic reactions from ammonia in these products.
Vinegar poisoning often occurs in everyday life if it is not stored or used correctly. Intoxication with mercury vapor develops when inhaling liquid metal vapor from a broken thermometer or fluorescent lamp.
Effect of paint fumes on the body
The smallest aerosols, entering through the respiratory tract, are absorbed into the blood and then spread to all organs. If you smell paint, the following changes occur in the body:
- increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure;
- damage to the organs of the reproductive system;
- chemical burn of the throat and bronchi;
- upon contact with skin, the paint causes irritation or allergies;
- inflammation of the lung tissue;
- synthetic resins included in floor varnish cause allergies, especially in children;
- teratogenic effect – damage to the fetus of pregnant women;
- blurred vision due to damage to the cornea;
- If swallowed, dyes cause liver and kidney damage.
Symptoms of paint vapor poisoning
If you inhale paint, acute poisoning occurs. Its severity depends on the concentration of vapors in the air of the apartment. If the safe level is exceeded, paint vapors threaten the health of every person. Women are especially sensitive to them during pregnancy. People experience symptoms of paint poisoning:
- dizziness;
- disorientation in space;
- burning in the throat and eyes;
- redness of the conjunctiva and lacrimation;
- smell of acetone coming from the mouth;
- diarrhea;
- redness, itching of the skin;
- severe nausea with bouts of vomiting;
- increase in body temperature to 38–39 °C;
- cough, sneezing;
- sleep disturbance;
- pale or blue skin;
- stomach ache;
- rapid breathing;
- drowsiness;
- loss of consciousness;
- convulsions.
Signs of poisoning with alkyd wall paint are observed among those who like to do their own repairs. Intoxication also develops when inhaling acetone vapor while painting the floor with varnish. The substance is a mild narcotic toxin. Causes euphoria similar to alcohol intoxication, headache, dizziness. In large doses it affects the kidneys.
First aid for poisoning by paints and varnishes
Everyone should know basic measures that will help prevent poisoning from paint fumes. Forewarned is forearmed. For mild signs of intoxication, it is enough to take self-help measures:
- First of all, you need to leave the room where repairs are being carried out, preferably go outside. Change clothes that have absorbed toxins. These actions will stop further vapor absorption.
- To relieve the condition, rinse the damaged body segments and eyes with tap water. Rinse your mouth.
- If you feel nauseous, drink water and induce vomiting. Then take enterosorbents - Polysorb, 5-6 tablets of activated carbon with water or Enterosgel.
- Toxicologists do not recommend taking a popular product - milk - in case of paint poisoning. It only makes the condition worse.
- To speed up the elimination of toxins, drink plenty of fluids in small doses: 50-100 ml every half hour.
When trying to remove varnishes and paints, do not rub the skin with a rag or washcloth . The expanded capillaries enhance the absorption of toxins. Simply remove the substance with a cotton swab.
If a person loses consciousness, call an emergency team and hold a cotton swab with ammonia to his nose. Lay the victim on his side, turning his head, bend the underlying leg at the knee joint to stabilize the position.
Treatment of poisoning
The victim is taken to the toxicology department in serious condition.
Poisoning of any severity in children and pregnant women requires medical intervention.
Medicines
In the hospital, doctors treat paint poisoning depending on the severity of the patient’s condition:
- intravenously infused solutions that remove toxic components from the blood and organs;
- carry out forced diuresis using diuretics;
- if necessary, medications are administered to improve cardiac activity;
- liver damage is treated with hepatoprotectors (Essentiale, Silibor, Karsil);
- immunomodulators and vitamins are used.
Further drug therapy is prescribed by the clinic doctor under the supervision of tests.
Professional builders use plasmapheresis for chronic poisoning with kidney damage.
Folk remedies
For paint poisoning, medicinal herbs are used:
- Horsetail infusion helps with kidney damage. Prepared in a water bath. Take 1 tbsp per glass of water. l. dry grass. Leave for 15 minutes. Take 50 ml three times a day before meals for 2 weeks.
- Licorice decoction is prepared by boiling. Measure 20 grams of plant root per half liter of water. Keep on low heat for a quarter of an hour. Should be taken after filtering, 100 ml three times a day for 2 weeks.
- The easiest way to prepare an infusion of knotweed is in a thermos. Place 4 tbsp per liter of boiling water. l. raw materials. Leave for 2-3 hours. After straining, drink half a glass 3 times a day. The course of treatment is repeated after a month.
Herbal medicine methods significantly help remove toxic substances from the body.
Consequences
As a result of paint vapor poisoning, all organs are affected. The respiratory tract is damaged first. Long-term painting work leads to the following consequences:
- allergic reactions occur - rhinitis, conjunctivitis;
- a burn of the bronchial mucosa is accompanied by shortness of breath with difficulty breathing;
- paint vapors, irritating the conjunctiva, lead to visual impairment up to complete blindness;
- hallucinations, convulsions are caused by damage to the nervous system;
- after the absorption of chemical toxins into the blood, the kidneys and liver are affected with the development of functional failure of these organs;
- patients suffer from frequent headaches and sleep disturbances;
- chronic gastritis, gastroduodenitis develops;
- laryngitis with hoarseness due to damage to the ligaments.
Prevention
To avoid toxic paint poisoning during work, it is enough to follow the safety rules:
- It is preferable to use water-soluble paints, applying them with a roller rather than a brush. When aerosol spraying occurs, the worker actively inhales toxic substances.
- Paint walls, ceilings and floors in a special respirator with replaceable cartridges. No cotton mask can protect the respiratory organs from damage.
- Use safety glasses and rubber gloves.
- During the period of painting furniture, the room must be ventilated or provided with ventilation.
- During work, take breaks and periodically leave the repair area. As soon as the smell of acetone appears in your mouth, immediately go out into clean air.
- The protective measure includes choosing safe paints that do not have an aggressive odor. These include powder materials that are used to paint walls in a child’s room and a room where people with allergies live. Even when heated, these paints do not emit toxic substances that can lead to poisoning.
- Safe acrylic paint is recommended for painting furniture.
Keep solvents and gasoline in special closed places. Keep paint and varnish materials out of the reach of children.
Paints and varnishes are chemicals that can cause serious harm to health if handled incorrectly. To avoid the negative consequences of their use, it is enough to follow the above advice from chemists and doctors.
Source: https://otravilsya.com/himicheskie/parami-gazami/kraska/
How dangerous is paint poisoning?
When intoxicated with paint, internal organs and systems suffer. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems are primarily affected. In the absence of urgent medical care, a person develops the following disorders in the body:
- decreased blood pressure (hypotension) and increased heart rate. With the help of these processes, the body tries to ensure adequate blood supply. Cardiovascular failure subsequently develops;
- a burn of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract leads to the development of respiratory failure;
- When ingesting paint, the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach is primarily affected. After the absorption of chemicals into the blood, liver and kidney failure develops, the pancreas suffers;
- visual impairment occurs due to eye irritation from paint fumes. Long-term exposure to this chemical may cause damage to the optic nerve.
Causes of the disease
nasopharyngeal diseases; diseases in which the smell of rotten meat from the nose is the main sign of recognition of the disease; foreign body in the nasal passage - often found in children; diseases of organs and systems - possibly with diabetes mellitus, endocrine disorders, renal failure; acute and chronic rhinitis, sinusitis - during inflammation, pus collects in the nasal and maxillary sinuses, so there is an unpleasant odor from the nasal passages; allergy; Bacterial infections are the most common culprit behind the smell of pus in the nose.
You will definitely feel discomfort in the intranasal cavity - pay attention to this
Underdevelopment of the paranasal and frontal sinuses. Excessively wide nasal passages. Heredity - atrophic rhinitis in one of the parents can cause the development of the disease in the child. Degeneration of the nasal mucosa.
strong physical activity, especially with poor nutrition. In this case, the release of ammonia occurs due to the breakdown of fatty deposits; unfavorable environmental conditions, including poor living conditions, non-compliance with sanitary rules.
An unpleasant smell from the nose in a child, as a rule, occurs at the age of 7-8 years, more often in girls. There is constant nasal congestion and purulent discharge. Children complain of headaches, fatigue, decreased tone, and drowsiness. The symptoms are similar to a common runny nose, so parents begin to intensively treat it, which leads to complications of the disease.
Important! At an advanced stage of the disease, inflammation can spread to the larynx.
In adolescence, there is usually no purulent discharge, but dry formations appear in the form of crusts that cover the mucous membrane and cause an odor from the child’s nose. The causes of pus in the nasopharynx are caused by various factors, so you should definitely visit a doctor to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.
CT scan of the nasal cavities; endoscopic examination of the nasopharynx; bacterial culture from the nasal mucosa
With the help of technology and experience, the doctor can easily diagnose the disease
- nasopharyngeal diseases;
- diseases in which the smell of rotten meat from the nose is the main sign of recognition of the disease;
- foreign body in the nasal passage - often found in children;
- diseases of organs and systems - possibly with diabetes mellitus, endocrine disorders, renal failure;
- acute and chronic rhinitis, sinusitis - during inflammation, pus collects in the nasal and maxillary sinuses, so there is an unpleasant odor from the nasal passages;
- allergy;
- Bacterial infections are the most common culprit behind the smell of pus in the nose.
- Underdevelopment of the paranasal and frontal sinuses.
- Excessively wide nasal passages.
- Heredity - atrophic rhinitis in one of the parents can cause the development of the disease in the child.
- Degeneration of the nasal mucosa.
There are other reasons for the smell of acetone in the nose:
- strong physical activity, especially with poor nutrition. In this case, the release of ammonia occurs due to the breakdown of fatty deposits;
- unfavorable environmental conditions, including poor living conditions, non-compliance with sanitary rules.
- CT scan of the nasal cavities;
- endoscopic examination of the nasopharynx;
- bacterial culture from the nasal mucosa
How to help a person with paint intoxication
What to do if you are poisoned by paint? First of all, you should take the person outside or into a room with clean air. The more he comes into contact with this chemical, the more poisoned he will become.
Remember that first aid to the victim can only be started in a room with clean and non-poisoned air. Don't forget about your safety.
After taking the victim out into the fresh air, immediately call an ambulance , describe to the dispatcher by phone in detail the patient’s symptoms, the circumstances of contact with the paint and correctly name your location. Treatment of paint odor poisoning is carried out in an intensive care unit or toxicology department. While the EMS team is on its way to you, begin providing first aid to the victim. This can slightly improve the patient's well-being.
Please note that self-medication for paint poisoning is dangerous. It can lead to severe disruption of internal organs and death.
First aid for paint poisoning:
- Provide the patient with free access to air. Unbutton his shirt and tie, open all the windows in the room wide open.
- Rinse your eyes, face and hands with running water. If paint gets on your skin, try to wash it off.
- Cleanse your stomach. To do this, you need to drink a liter of plain water and induce vomiting. Potassium permanganate or any other substances should not be added to the gastric lavage solution.
- After gastric lavage, the patient can be given sorbents. This can be activated carbon, smecta, atoxyl, sorbex or enterosgel. Sorbents should be taken to relieve intoxication of the body.
- Give the person something to drink. It can be warm sweet tea, mineral or table water, compote, milk.
- If the victim is unconscious, place him on a flat surface, turn his head to the side, and monitor his breathing and pulse. It is most convenient to check the heartbeat on the carotid artery, which runs on the anterolateral surface of the neck. Breathing can be checked by placing your hand on the patient's chest. If breathing and pulse stop, indirect cardiac massage should be started.
The smell of paint and the effect of fumes
During the drying process, molecules of acetone or other toxic substances evaporate, which previously ensured the liquid state of the suspension.
They cause poisoning of the human body, which can, in turn, be divided into acute and chronic. Advice: to avoid such a detrimental effect on human health, it is recommended to use water-based compositions. They use ordinary water as a base, which does not have any negative effects when evaporated. Why do you like the smell of paint? This is again due to the solvent, which not only smells “nice”, but also causes an intoxicating effect, accompanied by hallucinations. And now in more detail:
Acute poisoning It is most often caused when applying paint with your own hands and during further drying, and sometimes even during the removal process, when lead dust is released. Some particularly toxic solutions are dangerous even after complete hardening.
Symptoms of paint poisoning are as follows: • Headaches and dizziness, which, as already mentioned, may even be accompanied by hallucinations. This occurs due to the fact that toxic substances, entering through a person’s respiratory organs, are carried through his circulatory system and reach the brain to the detriment of the entire central nervous system. • Vomiting and loose stools. In this case, it is not at all necessary to swallow the suspension. The same flavors are enough. • Burn of the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs and eyes. In the first case, this leads to difficulty breathing, in the second to tension in the optic nerve and worsening headaches. • Unconsciousness caused by lack of oxygen. • Anaphylactic shock can occur in particularly severe cases.
First aid instructions for those who have suffered acute paint poisoning: • Availability of fresh air. Take the victim outside away from the source of the odor. • Drink plenty of fluids. The liquid helps to quickly cleanse the body of toxins. • Warmth and peace. Cover with a blanket and help you relax. • Taking herbal preparations. Activated carbon will have a beneficial effect.
Advice: after providing first aid, be sure to show the victim to a doctor. This will help avoid serious negative consequences.
Chronic poisoning For specialists who constantly work with paints and varnishes, the smell of paint can cause chronic illnesses: • Constant weakness and a feeling of fatigue, even with proper rest. • Feeling depressed. Do not rush to accuse a person of unreasonable despondency; perhaps he is simply sick. What to do if you are poisoned by the smell of paint in this case? Here it will no longer be possible to limit ourselves to some short-term measures.
You will have to change your entire lifestyle: • Increase your rest time. • Include mandatory walks in the fresh air in your daily schedule. • Prescribe vitamin complexes.
Precautions It is recommended to take care of your health in advance: • Use personal protective equipment when applying paint. The price of the same respirator is significantly lower than the cost of your well-being. • Constant thorough ventilation. Open all windows and doors wide when painting, and circulate air around the clock. Limit your stay in the danger zone as much as possible. • Placing peeled heads of onion or garlic will neutralize malignant aromas. Place them so as to optimally cover the area affected by the odor. • Hanging wet sheets and towels has the ability to absorb odors. Replacing them frequently will help get rid of harmful fumes faster. • Burning candles can also cleanse a room. Place them around the perimeter and control their combustion process. • An air ionizer can create excellent protection against possible poisoning by eliminating dangerous elements in the room. But here you should compare its cost with the volume of expected work.
Be sure to exercise caution when handling paint products. The fumes emitted by them can significantly harm human health. Headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing are the first signs of poisoning, and if detected, appropriate measures should be taken immediately. Fresh air, drinking and herbal preparations will help cope with the effects of toxicosis. The video in this article will introduce you to additional materials that are directly related to the topic at hand. The smell of paint can only be harmful to the unprepared.
Treatment in hospital
The duration of treatment in the hospital depends on the condition of the victim. For mild poisoning, it can last 2-3 days. First medical aid consists of:
- intravenous administration of solutions to relieve intoxication;
- stabilization of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems;
- gastric lavage and sanitization of the respiratory tract;
- hemodialysis - blood purification using an artificial kidney, carried out in case of severe intoxication.
To identify complications from internal organs, a detailed laboratory and instrumental examination of the patient is carried out , which consists of:
- general blood test;
- general urinalysis;
- biochemical blood test;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- X-rays of the lungs;
- electrocardiograms.
If there is a burn to the mucous membrane of the lungs, bronchoscopy may be necessary. During this procedure, the doctor inserts a bronchoscope through the nose or mouth and uses it to examine the inside of the airways.
Paint poisoning most often occurs during renovation work. A person can inhale its vapors during application or while the paint is drying. Paint intoxication manifests itself after 1-2 hours with headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and the smell of acetone from the mouth. In case of severe poisoning, breathing and heart function may be impaired. Treatment is carried out in a hospital setting. Its duration depends on the degree of damage to internal organs and the patient’s condition.
Smell of blood in the nose: causes
Obsessive unpleasant odors in the nose are a common problem that worries a large number of people. The constant smell of blood can especially alarm a person.
In fact, if he does not experience bleeding from the mouth or nose, the causes of this phenomenon are no different from other causes of impaired nasal perception.
These may be inflammatory processes, olfactory hallucinations, systemic diseases such as diabetes. Often the nose smells of blood with pharyngitis.
The problem of unpleasant odor is very common. Experts have developed many systems for influencing lesions, so questions such as the smell of dust in the nose and what it is will no longer be scary for a person. As well as the sensation of other unpleasant side odors.
Timely seeking help, well-designed therapy and following all recommendations are the key to a quick recovery. To consolidate the achieved positive result, you can use traditional methods of treatment, but only after obtaining permission to use such drugs from your attending physician.
Bad smell from the nose is a very common problem. Unfortunately, not all people pay enough attention to it, but bad smell from the nose can be a sign of the development of serious diseases.
First of all, you need to know that the oral and nasal cavities communicate with each other, so we can feel unpleasant odors in the air exhaled from the nose, the cause of which lies in diseases of the oral cavity.
Smokers especially understand this. They inhale cigarette smoke through their mouths and expel it through their nostrils, smelling the smell of tobacco. Therefore, the stench we feel may be due to oral problems. However, there are other factors.
DD to everyone! Maybe someone has encountered this. I would be glad if you tell me how it all happened and give reasonable advice. I don’t remember exactly when and how it all started. About a year and a half ago. After visiting, having the imprudence to sit “for company” in a heavily smoky room, I began to feel this smell on myself for a very long time. At first it was funny. I’ll change my clothes and wash myself... for a couple of days the smell still lingers in my nose. Further more. The smell appears suddenly. It lasts for 2-3 weeks. I walk around the house like crazy, sniffing all the cracks and windows where the smell might come from. I go out to the area to check. My husband hasn’t smoked for 5 years. I also smelled his clothes. Then just as suddenly the smell disappeared. The smell is in the nose or, I would say, in the head. It’s funny if it weren’t sad. It’s annoying to the point of a headache... On the Internet they write that you need to contact an ENT specialist, do an MRI of the brain... for a consultation with a psychiatrist. This is more like his thing. I recently did a CT scan (or is it not the same thing - I don’t understand) they said no changes. Everything is OK. Scary. Am I going crazy?