Be on the Lookout for Signs of Huffing

Parents who suspect their child is "huffing" should intervene as soon as possible.

Huffing is a potentially deadly form of inhalant abuse in which intoxicating vapors or fumes are inhaled through the mouth to get a quick "high." Everyday products like spray paint, cooking spray, air freshener and butane can be sprayed into cans and small plastic bags or onto clothing so the concentrated vapors can be huffed or inhaled.

Chemicals found in spray cans of whipped cream can also be huffed.

"This is a dangerous practice, because the chemicals can trigger irregular heart rhythms," said Dr. Nancy Neff, assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

Clues that your child might be huffing include an unusual breath odor or unusual odor on clothes; a drunken or dizzy appearance; slurred or disoriented speech; chronic runny nose and red eyes; mood changes such as anxiety, excitability, irritability, or lethargy; and frequent sniffing of clothing.

If your child has these symptoms, he or she could suffer a heart attack, so consult your primary care doctor as soon as possible.

If your child faints or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1. Perform CPR if the child has no pulse. Long-term treatment usually requires enrollment in a 12-step drug-abuse program.

- Courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/02_15_01-huffing.html