During the winter when the air is extra dry in the regions where we need to heat our homes we have problems with a nosebleed and other issues associated with the membranes in the nose being too dry. Some people use petroleum jelly or Vicks vapor rub to moisten the inside of their noses.
Reports have surfaced about the dangers of using petroleum-based products in the nose. Some people assumed that this was due to the fact that these 2 products are inflammable, but the main reason is the danger of lipoid pneumonia. We can breathe in small droplets of the oily(lipid) substance into our lungs and get lipoid pneumonia.
According to Bing “Lipoid pneumonia is a rare condition that occurs when fat particles enter the lungs. Lipoids, also known as lipids, are fat molecules. Pneumonia refers to inflammation of the lungs. Lipoid pneumonia is also called lipid pneumonia.”
According to Health Line there are 2 forms of lipid pneumonia.
- “Exogenous lipoid pneumonia. This occurs when the fat particles enter from outside the body and reach the lungs via the nose or mouth.
- Endogenous lipoid pneumonia. In this type, fat particles accumulate in the lungs, causing inflammation. Endogenous lipoid pneumonia is also known as cholesterol pneumonia, golden pneumonia, or in some cases idiopathic lipoid pneumonia.”
The most common causes of exogenous lipoid pneumonia are aspiration of oily laxatives such as cod liver oil or the use of petroleum jelly. According to most sources lipoid pneumonia may not be detected as some people do not have symptoms while other people exhibit the common symptoms of pneumonia including shortness of breath, chest tightness and chest pain.
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