While spray painting is an extremely convenient way of painting surfaces or creating art, certain dangers come with using this type of paint. Spray paint releases several harmful chemicals into the air that can cause major damage and lasting effects if not addressed.
It’s important to clear the paint fumes from your lungs as soon as possible after exposure. This can be done using numerous elimination methods, including chest percussion, postural drainage, controlled coughing, and steam therapy. Other helpful measures include exercise and increased fluid intake.
Prolonged exposure to paint fumes can cause several long-term problems, so it’s important to address these issues before they grow in significance as time goes by. The paint in your lungs will not necessarily cause immediate damage. However, it’s important to exercise patience and careful attention to remove it before it becomes a larger problem.
Table of Contents
How To Clear Lungs Of Spray Paint
Suppose you have spent a prolonged period using spray paint without adequate protection. In that case, there is a great chance you have inhaled a significant amount of spray paint fumes. Tiny, odorless particles have a tendency to make their way into your lungs undetected at first. The same goes for the fumes that come from the paint itself.
Thankfully there are several ways to help clear the lungs of spray paint as far as possible. However, you will need to exercise a certain degree of patience. It can take a significant period before all of the spray paint accumulated in your lungs can completely exit.
Increased Fluid Intake
One of the most effective ways to help eliminate the spray paint accumulated in your lungs is to increase the amount of water you drink daily. An increased fluid intake will help your body rid itself of the toxins that have been inhaled. While this will probably not be enough on its own, it will be a significant help when combined with other methods.
Exercise
Bear in mind that exercise plays a major role in increasing the respiratory rate of the body. As a result of the increased respiratory rate, there is an increase in the oxygen supply to the lungs. This will help the lungs recover more quickly from inhaling any potentially harmful toxins.
Start with short walks if you are not used to exercising or have trouble breathing due to paint fume inhalation. A slow walk, preferably out in nature, will significantly affect your body’s oxygen intake. This will help in the overall healing process.
Postural Drainage
Postural drainage is a more hands-on, tactical approach to clearing the lungs of spray paint. With this method, you must lie down in different positions that use gravity to help remove the mucus from your lungs. This mucus will contain the unwanted particles that you are trying to remove.
Not only will this help with any breathing issues, but it will help prevent or treat lung infections. There are several positions used in postural drainage. Firstly, you can lie on your back with your hips placed on pillows. This will situate your hips above your chest.
While lying down in this position, start slowly inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. Your exhales, in this case, should be twice as long as your inhales. Continue this practice for a few minutes.
The next position to attempt is lying on your side. Allow your head to rest on your arm, and again place a pillow under your hips. Repeat the same breathing pattern as explained above, and repeat on the other side.
The next thing to do is to lie on your stomach. Begin by placing the pillows under your feet, ensuring your hips remain higher than your chest. Keep your arms folded under your head to remain fully supported. Again, repeat the breathing exercise outlined above for a few minutes.
Chest Percussion
Chest percussion is an effective physiotherapy technique that can help to remove the stained mucus from your lungs. It will trigger natural coughing that will help rid the body of the harmful toxins before they cause any major issues.
Because the toxins from spray paint will generally attach to the mucus in your body, draining the accumulation of mucus will help rid the body of the harmful toxins in the spray paint.
A respiratory therapist will use a cupped hand to tap against the chest in a specific rhythm, ultimately loosening any mucus trapped in your lungs. If combined with postural drainage, this method can be highly effective.
Controlled Coughing
Coughing is generally our body’s method of clearing or flushing toxins from the lungs. Inhalation of spray paint will cause a build-up of mucus in the lungs. Controlled coughing will help force this mucus up through your airways, removing it from your body.
Begin by sitting comfortably with shoulders relaxed and feet on the ground. Inhale deeply through your nose. Using one hand to block your nose and the other to press against your stomach, cough with an open mouth as you exhale.
Repeat this process a few times, but ensure that you are gentle with your coughing so as not to cause further damage.
Steam Therapy/Inhalation
The simple practice of inhaling steam can potentially help open up the airways while helping to remove mucus from your lungs. The steam will essentially force the mucus to drain and ultimately empty from your lungs.
Green Tea
Green tea has long been associated with antioxidants. It can increase the oxygen supply in the lungs and help reduce inflammation. There is also some evidence suggesting certain compounds in green tea can help protect the lung tissue from the negative effects of paint fume inhalation.
Anti-inflammatory Foods
Eating anti-inflammatory foods can help to reduce inflammation in your body, thereby relieving some of the symptoms associated with inhaling spray paint. Good anti-inflammatory foods include turmeric, leafy greens, cherries, olives, walnuts, lentils, blueberries, and olives.
By reducing the inflammation in your airways and lungs, you will help to alleviate some of the problems caused by paint fume inhalation. Your breathing will feel easier, and your chest will feel less heavy.
Conclusion
While preventing spray paint inhalation by wearing a mask is essential, there are several methods to clear your lungs of spray paint if you happen to inhale it. Controlled coughing, chest percussion, and steam inhalation are most likely the most effective methods. It’s important, however, that you also get fresh air, increase your fluid intake, and eat anti-inflammatory foods to help your body heal faster.