Respiratory burns are a type of severe burn that affects the airways and lungs, making them difficult to treat and can lead to dangerous complications. These burns occur when inhaling burning agents like fire, hot gas, hot steam, or chemical products formed from burning substances. Dr. Nguyen Thai Ngoc Minh from the Department of Emergency Resuscitation at Le Huu Trac National Burn Hospital (Hanoi) explains that respiratory burns account for about 30% of severe burn cases and the severity of respiratory damage depends on factors such as the heat of the agent, the burning agent itself, and the duration of exposure to the burning agent.
Different materials produce varying toxic gases when burned. For example, PVC plastic can create hydrogen chloride and phosphagen, while wood and fabric can produce hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. Nearly all materials produce toxic gases when burned, with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide being the most common. Victims of fires can be poisoned by these toxic gases, such as CO and cyanide, leading to rapid death. Respiratory burns are an independent risk factor that increases mortality rates from burns.
Respiratory burns cause three types of damage: direct heat damage to the airways and lungs; inhalation of toxic gases leading to airway and lung damage; and seepage of toxic gases into the bloodstream from the lungs. Patients with respiratory burns often experience serious lung damage and complications like respiratory failure. Prompt treatment is necessary for patients affected by respiratory burns, including oxygen support to remove toxic gases like CO and cyanide from their bodies. Patients may require airway endoscopy to clear obstructions and determine the extent of their burn for appropriate treatment.
In cases where someone inhales smoke or gas during a fire or other hazardous environment, it’s important not to ignore symptoms like coughing
