A couple of dumb questions for Pelican M.D.'s

[icemann427]

Yesterday, while opening the glass door to our clothes dryer to remove a dried blanket, I happened to breathe in by mouth. Lint that would normally be held by the dryer's lint trap wasn't, I guess, due to the fact that the blanket was new and put off an inordinate amount of lint. Opening the door pulled the excess airborne lint out of the dryer into my immediate space and I happened to inhale an amount of lint that made breathing very difficult. Luckily, since I had some air in my lungs, I was able to cough enough to partially release the blockage. Over a couple of minutes, I was having a very difficult time breathing until finally I coughed enough to at least force it, I'm guessing, to the wall of my trachea.

I did not see any lint come out of my mouth during coughing, so I am guessing it is still in my trachea. There is a little discomfort in there somewhere, but I don't know if that is from the initial coughing episode or not.

So...Should I worry about lint in my trachea (or lungs)? If there is still some in there, can it even be found and removed? Is there any long term problems that could be caused by the lint not being removed?

Thank you so very much for any advice!

Geoff

[cashflyer]

OMG, you gots teh BYSSINOSIS!!!!

I am not an MD, but I did work in a cotton mill for a couple years. I probably breathed in many times more lint than your blanket will ever give off, and I am still alive.

Unless your blanket is made of asbestos. Then you're fuched.

[Zeke]

I have breathed in enough sawdust, paint particulates and fumes, cement dust, dirt dust, exhaust fumes, etc. to be dead. Well, I suppose that comes anyway. The worst was when I was in the fiberglass business. I couldn't bend over to tie my shoes w/o having my nose bleed.

It all goes away in mucus over time. I didn't think asbestos could leave the body, but even it does eventually. My chest x-rays are negative.

You'll be fine.

[pete3799]

Just swallow one of those drier sheets..... no more static cling.

[RWebb]

this thread has LOTS of potential

[icemann427]

It sure do...

And...I DON"T SWALLOW!!!

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by pete3799

Just swallow one of those drier sheets..... no more static cling.

LOL.

OP doesn't have to worry. The lint probably got trapped in your trachea or the bronchi. It stuck to the mucous and it'll get transported out by coughing or little cilia. No harm done.

[icemann427]

Thanks, Noah & Milt. The rest of you's guyses can kiss my turbo!!! LOL!!

[craigster59]

I'm missing a sock. You didn't happen to cough an extra one up didja?