HomeAnswersInternal Medicinemucus plugCan mucus inhalation affect my breathing capacity and immune system?

Can mucus buildup affect breathing and immunity?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At January 30, 2024
Reviewed AtJanuary 30, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am 27 years old male weighing 150 pounds. A few months ago, I went to the emergency room with chest discomfort, faintness, tingling, and clammy hands. The chest X-ray, EKG, and blood tests all came back negative. I inhaled a considerable chunk of mucus from the persistent thick mucus in my nasal passages a month or two before the emergency room visit. Could this be harming my capacity to breathe and my immune system? I wake up unable to breathe, with weight in my lungs. With a lot of movement, I feel fluttery in my chest. I have a slight swelling on my left hand, reoccurring acne-like spots on my groin, a penile infection in my fingernail (this has never occurred to me before), and recurrent rash-like, itchy pimples on the hands' mucus in the nasal passages. Kindly help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Unless and until specific tests are advised after a complete examination by your local physician, the symptoms you stated can have numerous reasons, such as allergies, autoimmune illness, chronic infection, and others. In response to your concern about mucus inhaled from your nasal channel, it is uncommon to remain there for so long unless chronic mucus production continues to replace it every time. Overproduction (most likely caused by illness) might impair your respiratory ability. You should see an immunologist for further evaluation. To rule out allergies, avoid worrying and attempt to find out whether your symptoms occur after contact with a specific material (soap, hairs, pollens, any animals, dust, and others). Once your illness has been diagnosed, your doctor may give you particular drugs (anti-allergic) and testing (patch tests) to control it.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Chandwadkar Ashish
Dr. Chandwadkar Ashish

Internal Medicine

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Internal Medicine

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy