Did I just give myself mild carbon monoxide poisoning?
December 9, 2018 10:01 AM Subscribe
Could I have given myself CO poisoning from just a few minutes of smoke inhalation? What should I do to keep myself safe for the rest of the day?
Earlier today I started up my wood stove for the second time this year. It's a properly fitted stove and the chimney is clean. It's a windy, snowy day and while I had a window open to prevent downdrafts, I foolishly closed it before I was totally done and let a bunch of smoke into the room.
About 10–20 minutes later I started feeling mild nausea, dizziness, and a fast pulse. I don't have a CO detector right now (I know, I know!) so I opened some more windows, dialed the stove in all the way, shut the cat out in the screen porch, and took a short walk. I should note that I'm getting over a respiratory infection so breathing in smoke was probably not the best thing for my lungs.
The cat and I have been back in the house for almost an hour, with lots of windows open. It still smells a little smoky but the stove seems to be drawing fine and is dialed all the way in. I'm just waiting for the fire to go out on its own (will take a few hours - but I'd rather not open the door again).
I'm starting to feel better, but I'm really surprised I had this reaction with so little smoke exposure. Is there anything else I should be doing to mitigate my foolishness?
Note: I'm in the South and we're expecting up to 11 inches of snow, so I can't leave for the day. I could go visit with neighbors but I'd worry about the cat.
Earlier today I started up my wood stove for the second time this year. It's a properly fitted stove and the chimney is clean. It's a windy, snowy day and while I had a window open to prevent downdrafts, I foolishly closed it before I was totally done and let a bunch of smoke into the room.
About 10–20 minutes later I started feeling mild nausea, dizziness, and a fast pulse. I don't have a CO detector right now (I know, I know!) so I opened some more windows, dialed the stove in all the way, shut the cat out in the screen porch, and took a short walk. I should note that I'm getting over a respiratory infection so breathing in smoke was probably not the best thing for my lungs.
The cat and I have been back in the house for almost an hour, with lots of windows open. It still smells a little smoky but the stove seems to be drawing fine and is dialed all the way in. I'm just waiting for the fire to go out on its own (will take a few hours - but I'd rather not open the door again).
I'm starting to feel better, but I'm really surprised I had this reaction with so little smoke exposure. Is there anything else I should be doing to mitigate my foolishness?
Note: I'm in the South and we're expecting up to 11 inches of snow, so I can't leave for the day. I could go visit with neighbors but I'd worry about the cat.
Call Poison Control and ask them if you should go to the ER.
I recently called Poison Control after my family had a dubious CO exposure, even though I was sure they'd say just to get fresh air and not to worry. Poison Control said to go to the ER though and so did my insurance nurse hotline. So we went, and in fact we needed to be use oxygen masks for a while. Even after a very brief exposure we had elevated CO in our blood.
Weirdly, even after that, the next day I was dizzy all day, not sure if it was lingering from the CO or not.
So, for peace of mind, probably best to at least to call Poison Control; no one on the internet is going to give you a better answer than they will. FIgure out what to do with the cat and the weather after you hear what they say.
posted by nantucket at 10:54 AM on December 9, 2018 [12 favorites]
I recently called Poison Control after my family had a dubious CO exposure, even though I was sure they'd say just to get fresh air and not to worry. Poison Control said to go to the ER though and so did my insurance nurse hotline. So we went, and in fact we needed to be use oxygen masks for a while. Even after a very brief exposure we had elevated CO in our blood.
Weirdly, even after that, the next day I was dizzy all day, not sure if it was lingering from the CO or not.
So, for peace of mind, probably best to at least to call Poison Control; no one on the internet is going to give you a better answer than they will. FIgure out what to do with the cat and the weather after you hear what they say.
posted by nantucket at 10:54 AM on December 9, 2018 [12 favorites]
Speaking as a recent caller to poison control, I wanted to add that even if they tell you it's all good, it's better to hear it from them. You'll believe them and be at peace in a way that you won't if you just hear it from people on the internet.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 12:00 PM on December 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 12:00 PM on December 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
Good advice above: Poison Control will probably reassure you. A CO detector is a must. One other thought: is there any chance you are pregnant? (Can't tell your sex from your post or your name.) Fetal hemoglobin will soak up more carbon monoxide than an adult's and hang onto it much longer. By the time your symptoms go away after a short exposure you are probably (probably!) in little danger. A fetus may be at risk well beyond the time when the mother is feeling better.
CO presents other dangers from long-term exposure, or chronic low levels. But it sounds like that's not your situation.
posted by wjm at 12:25 PM on December 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
CO presents other dangers from long-term exposure, or chronic low levels. But it sounds like that's not your situation.
posted by wjm at 12:25 PM on December 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
There's not much to do about mild CO poisoning, if that's what it is, besides hang out somewhere that isn't full of CO. It'll take some time to clear your bloodstream but it will do so eventually. Get yourself a CO detector though.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 2:18 AM on December 10, 2018
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 2:18 AM on December 10, 2018
If you're in North America, always call Poison Control. They're a fantastic resource, and you can learn more about their history in this RadioLab segment about them.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 2:21 AM on December 10, 2018
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 2:21 AM on December 10, 2018
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! After my initial panic, all is well.
I'd put off buying a CO detector because I could have sworn I had one squirreled away somewhere. I searched the house again and this time I found it. So now I have a functioning detector and can confirm I am in a CO-free space, which is good because I lost power yesterday and had to keep the stove running.
I would never had thought of poison control, though—that's a great tip.
posted by toastedcheese at 6:36 AM on December 10, 2018 [2 favorites]
I'd put off buying a CO detector because I could have sworn I had one squirreled away somewhere. I searched the house again and this time I found it. So now I have a functioning detector and can confirm I am in a CO-free space, which is good because I lost power yesterday and had to keep the stove running.
I would never had thought of poison control, though—that's a great tip.
posted by toastedcheese at 6:36 AM on December 10, 2018 [2 favorites]
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posted by charmedimsure at 10:38 AM on December 9, 2018 [3 favorites]