How to Clear Lungs of Spray Paint (Best 10 Ways)

I once had some spray paint stuck in my lungs while painting but I was able to clear my lungs of it. Having spray paint stuck in one’s lungs can not only be irritating but could be dangerous as well.

In this article, I will be guiding you on the several ways you can clear your lungs of spray paint if need be. After reading this article, you can share it to enlighten more individuals and, most importantly, save lives.

There are several ways by which you can clear your lungs of spray paint;

• Steam therapy,
• Controlled coughing,
• Exercising,

Among other methods which you will find in this article.

You should avoid inhaling spray paint as it may severely harm the lungs, including other body organs.

However, at times, inhaling spray paint might be inevitable and in this kind of situation, how to get rid of it and clear your lungs is what you should focus on.

Methods of Clearing One’s Lungs of Spray Paint

I’m sure if you have some spray paint stuck in your lungs, you wouldn’t want it to remain stuck in your lungs but would like to get it out instead.

Although clearing the lungs of spray paint might be challenging, however, if you follow the steps carefully, you will successfully get it done.

1) Steam Therapy

This is otherwise known as steam inhalation. It helps open the airways and aids in removing mucus from the lungs simply by inhaling the steam vapor. Studies reveal that using steam masks can lower heart rates and respiration rates more than non-steam mask therapy.

Even though this treatment can clear the lungs of spray paint, it is, however, advisable to know the advantages of this method for lung health. Steam therapy provides a temporary remedy, but it does work! To perform steam therapy:

2) Controlled Coughing

Coughing helps to flush out toxins that get stuck in mucus. You might have experienced some specific ailments in the past whereby you had a cough which perhaps, was part of the signs and symptoms. However, in this situation, coughing, rather than being a symptom, is a treatment process of clearing your lungs of spray paint.

A controlled coughing process helps to loosen mucus from the lungs, and when this happens, the loosened mucus is pushed upwards through the airways. This loosened mucus obviously, contains some elements of spray paint. The steps below explain how you can clear your lungs of spray paint.

• Sit on a stool with your feet flat on the floor and your shoulders relaxed
• Place your arms across your stomach
• Inhale slowly using your nose
• Exhale slowly and lean forward in a way that presses the arms into the stomach
• Cough twice or thrice as you exhale but ensure that your mouth is slightly open while doing so
• Inhale slowly again and repeat the other steps.

3) Exercising

If you are the type who performs exercises daily, you will find this treatment method relatively easy.

How does this help get rid of spray paint trapped in the lungs?

If you do exercise, you will notice that whenever you perform this activity, there is always an increase in the body’s respiratory rate.

This explains its function in this context, but how?

When you have spray paint stuck in your lungs, and you exercise, the exercise routine forces your muscles to perform harder, thus, increasing the body’s respiratory rate.

This event results in a better supply of oxygen to the muscles. It also improves circulation, and this activity makes it more effective at getting rid of the carbon dioxide generated during the process.

Exercising will make the body adapt to its demands gradually. It will make the muscles start utilizing oxygen more efficiently with a release of lesser carbon dioxide.

The activity explains the eradication process of spray paint stuck in the lungs, which one can remove alongside the release of carbon dioxide.

4) Perform Chest Percussion

Performing chest percussion is another method by which one can clear one’s lungs of spray paint. Percussion removes mucus that has been accumulated in the lung.

For this treatment method, you will need the services of a respiratory therapist. The respiratory therapist will use a cupped hand to tap rhythmically against the chest wall. This process loosens mucus stuck in the lung.

You can combine chest percussion with postural drainage, as doing so will help you free the airways of mucus. This treatment method is considered a form of exercise, so if you have any breathing issues, it is best to consult your doctor first before carrying it out.

5) Consuming Anti-Inflammatory Foods

If there is an inflammation of your airways, it could result in breathing difficulties, thus, making the chest feel narrowed and heavy. With the help of anti-inflammatory foods, you can reduce inflammation and relieve yourself of the symptoms. Some of the anti-inflammatory foods include;

6) Using Air Purifiers

Like it sounds, air purifiers help to purify the air by removing the spray paint from the air. It helps to cleanse fresh air when painting.

Therefore if you install an air purifier and decide to use spray paint, you do not have to worry about anything. The air purifier will help clear out the lungs from the fumes of the spray paint.

7) Taking a Walk

It is a simple activity. If you have spray paint stuck in your lungs, you can take a walk out of that area to somewhere you can inhale fresh air. Inhaling fresh air will help free the volatile elements from the lungs.

However, ensure to breathe normally and do not stay close to painted areas. There is an elimination of paint particles from the lungs while inhaling fresh air.

8) Take a Cup of Green Tea

If you are someone who doesn’t take green tea, you might be left with no other choice than to take it if you have some elements of spray paint in your lungs. Green tea contains antioxidant properties, and these antioxidant properties help reduce inflammation in the lungs. To prepare green tea:

• Boil some water
• Ensure to leave it to cool slightly for about two or three minutes or till it is lukewarm
• Allow the tea bag to release its delicious aroma. It should take between 2 – 3 minutes
• Remove the teabag
• Your green tea is ready

Green tea also helps protect the lung tissues from the adverse effect of spray paint fumes. Also, if you are working on reducing the risk of chronic obstructive lung diseases, green tea is a great option!

9) Avoid Artificial Scents

One mistake you should never make when trying to clear your lungs of spray paint is inhaling perfume or other artificial scents, as doing so will only do more harm than good.

Therefore, it is best to avoid them to encourage speedy recovery of your lungs from the spray paint toxins. How can one avoid artificial scents for speedy recovery?

• Avoid using perfumes for some days
• Avoid smelling other scented cosmetics products such as fabric conditioners, nail polish, and detergents.

10) Use a Ventilator

A ventilator, which is a machine that helps one to breathe, can be used when one has some particles of spray paint stuck in one’s lungs. If you have inhaled some spray paint and you have a ventilator at home, then you need not panic.

A ventilator will help clear out the lungs from the paint toxins. Below are the processes of using a ventilator:

• First, you must know how to operate this machine. If you do not know how to, you can check its manual
• Power it up
• Make the connection between the breathing tubes and the machine peripherals
• Afterward, proceed to connect the masks to the breathing tube
• It is all set!

Other Ways to Clear Lungs of Spray Paint

Be calm and take deep breaths

You do not need to panic if you have some spray particles trapped in your lungs. When you stay calm, the airways open up, which will make the toxins flow out. Afterward, inhale and exhale deeply through your nose and mouth.

It would be best to try not to communicate during the whole process as talking can make you cough more. One other thing you should also never do is smoke. Smoking while attempting to clean your lungs with spray paint will only result in more irritation and inflammation.

Take lots of Fluids

Try to take fluids immediately if you have some particles of spray paint stuck in your lungs. Water is an excellent example of fluids. These fluids will clear out your lungs of spray paint. However, it would help if you never took alcohol as it will only make your body dehydrate faster.

 It is best to take water if you aren’t taking green tea. Milk is also a good option as it helps make your throat feel better. However, it is almost impossible for milk to absorb paint fumes in the body.

My Verdict

Whenever you want to spray paint, it is best to wear a respirator mask. This protective gear blocks many little and smell-free particles from penetrating your lungs when painting. These respirator masks will protect you from chemicals, harmful vapors, and mold spores.

Spraying paint releases volatile organic compounds that evaporate and remain in the air for hours. Using a respirator mask will help protect you from volatile organic compounds.

However, if you do not have a respirator mask and inhale spray paint, you do not need to panic. You can take a break while spray painting to get some fresh air.

Do this repeatedly until you are through with painting. You can also follow other tips/methods, which have been explained earlier in this article.

Another unpleasant event that may occur is the swallowing of spray paint. If you have mistakenly swallowed spray paint, get a glass of water and put 2 – 3 spoons of salt in it.

Drink this solution all at once. It will aid in vomiting out the swallowed spray paint.

FAQs

FAQs