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Excessive mucus without cough

Lung Health | Last Active: Sep 7, 2022 | Replies (157)

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@pritty02

Hello, I have inhaled 90 percent ethanol very days before while using as a disinfectant. Since then, I have a sore throat without cough. With warm water and salt water gargle. I have still white mucus coming out continuously without any cough, fever n other symptoms. Is there any need to worry about it.

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Replies to "Hello, I have inhaled 90 percent ethanol very days before while using as a disinfectant. Since..."

@pritty02 I have the same white mucus in my throat. Besides the salt water I'm using lemon juice in water gargle ,drink it in tea I have allergies and 5hey are in full force right now .You don't want to inhale fumes so add a mask when you use disinfectants This to will pass is my mantra warm weather coming

Hi, @pritty02, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It's wise to look into symptoms that you are experiencing and also interfering with your quality of life after inhaling the 90% ethanol when using it to disinfect.

I moved your post here to this existing discussion, "Excessive mucus without cough," so that you can connect with others in this thread who are talking about similar issues. Please click VIEW & REPLY in your email notification to look at the entire discussion and what others have shared.

Good to see you've connected with @lioness, and I'd also like to invite into this discussion @trixie1313 @sueinmn @jenniferhunter @imallears, who may have some input related to your sore throat without cough as well as the white mucus you have coming out continually after inhaling the ethanol fumes.

Personally, I used a rubbing alcohol solution at 90 percent to clean my microfiber family room furniture — cut with some water in a spray bottle — a number of years ago, and I quickly noted that the fumes were very pungent. I moved my kids and myself far away from it and opened some windows. I believe I had some headache for a bit, and it generally didn't feel great to be exposed to that high of a percentage of alcohol. My husband suggested that if/when I did cleaned the furniture that way again, I should use a lower percentage of alcohol or dilute it much further.

One resource you might take advantage of is Poison Control, where you can chat online or speak to a representative https://triage.webpoisoncontrol.org/#/exclusions.

Will you share more about where you are seeing this mucus coming out? Have you had the chance to speak to your doctor about these symptoms? If so, what did he or she say about it?

@pritty02 I did some looking, and you are probably not in any danger from this inhalation, but you certainly did irritate your throat and probably lungs. The problem is that alcohol moves from liquid to vapor very quickly, and then is easily inhaled. It is also a powerful irritant of mucous membranes - that is why you are seeing all the clear mucous. I don't think gargling salt water or lemon juice, unless very mild, will help in your case because these too can irritate mucous membranes - you will have to decide if they make it feel better or worse. You need to let things settle down, if not better in a few days, or you begin to experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, seek medical care.
Everyone needs to be cautious in this day of disinfecting everything! Bleach, alcohol and benzylkonium chloride are strong chemicals. Alcohol & bleach are also highly volatile, moving from the liquid to aerosol state very quickly, and are very strong irritants. Use them cautiously, as you would any chemical, and be around them for the shortest time possible. When using, ventilate the area, remove children, anyone with breathing issues and pets before using, and leave the area yourself immediately - stay away until the fumes have cleared. If you have a respirator (N95 or one intended for use around fumes) wear it, but still take precautions. Keep the chemicals COMPLETELY out of reach of children, pets and any vulnerable adult who my not understand how to take precautions.
Stay safe everyone!
Sue