Airway burn

Burns to the airway can be caused by inhaling smoke, steam, superheated air, or toxic fumes, often in a poorly ventilated space. Airway burns can be very serious since the rapid swelling of burned tissue in the airway can quickly block the flow of air to the lungs.

Review Date: 5/31/2022
Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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