Breathing Problems: How to Deal With Fireworks Smoke
• If you have a quick-relief inhaler, take it with
you, and use it as prescribed.
• Consider using a paper or gauze surgical
mask or dust mask that covers your nose and
mouth. This may give some protection
against lung irritants found in fireworks
smoke. Wetting the mask with a baking soda
and water solution may give additional
protection.
Fireworks smoke contains toxic dust that can
irritate your lungs and can cause breathing
problems. If you have a health problem that
affects your breathing, air pollution such as
smoke can make your breathing suddenly get
worse. It can make you cough and have more
mucus, and it can cause you to be short of
breath.
Preventing breathing problems
If you have breathing problems that are made
worse by fireworks smoke:
• Stay indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned
room.
• Do not smoke. Stay away from smoky places.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Keep taking your medicines exactly as
prescribed.
It is hard to breathe deeply when you have
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
or asthma. However, breathing exercises can
make breathing easier and help keep your lungs
healthy. You can learn to control your breathing
by practicing breathing techniques every day.
Follow your doctor's instructions on how to do
these exercises.
• Pursed-lip breathing is breathing in through
your nose and out through your mouth while
almost closing your lips.
• Diaphragmatic breathing is deep breathing
in which your belly moves, but not your
chest.
• Bending forward at the waist may make it
easier to breathe.
Treating a reaction caused by
fireworks smoke
A severe COPD flare-up or asthma attack can
be a life-threatening emergency. If you have a
quick-relief inhaler, try using it first.
If your symptoms do not get better after you use
your medicine, have someone take you to the
emergency room. Call an ambulance if needed.
After treatment, most people recover.
When to call your doctor
If you have severe trouble breathing, call 911 right away.
If your COPD or asthma symptoms, such as cough, mucus, and shortness of breath,
suddenly get worse, you may be having a flare-up or exacerbation. Quick treatment
may help you to prevent serious breathing problems and avoid a hospital stay.
Call your doctor immediately if:
• You have shortness of breath or wheezing that is rapidly getting worse.
• You are coughing more deeply or more frequently, especially if you notice an
increase in mucus (sputum) or a change in the color of the mucus you cough up.
• You cough up blood.
• You have increased swelling in your legs or abdomen.
• You have a high fever (over 100 degrees).
• You feel severe chest pain.
• You develop flu symptoms.
• You notice that your medicine is not working as well as it had been.
• You use oxygen at home and feel like you need more. Use only the amount
recommended by your doctor. In some people with COPD, too much oxygen can
be dangerous.
©2007-2015 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise disclaims any liability for use
of this information, which does not replace medical advice. 2014-09-zu1516