Someone once told me that spme lady who had a cat, had some lung disease and they found a hair form her cat in her lungs. I dont know how true is that, but if you have a dog who sheds, and sleeps with you, is it possible that you can inhale their hair?I knoe we have defensive systems in out respiratory system against dust and little particels, so I am wondering how possible is that to happen like to that lady?
2006-08-08 07:14:47 · 5 answers · asked by Nadia S 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
In theory you could breath in a hair.
Chances are you would be very aware when you did.
How much does it bother you when you have a single hair in your mouth. You probably can't think (or do) anything else until you get it out.
Our lips and tounges are incredibly sensitive to even very small items. Think about how "large" a poppy seed feels when it is stuck between your teeth.
So in general when something gets into your mouth or nose, you know all about it. But if you wanted to play devils advocate and say you were in a coma like sleep. Nothing would wake you...
What would happen then?
It probably wouldn't get very far. Even if it was a short and fine hair. First it has to get into the mouth, a very moist environment, which is mostly filled with our tongue. Then past the "trap door" and into the windpipe. This is also very moist. Think about when you "cough" something up when you have a cold... That is where it comes from.
Tiny hair like projections come from every cell that make a wave like "sweeping" motion upwards. This constant house keeping is so efficient it can even throw out bacteria and viruses. If the hair touches any side of the tube on the way down, it will get glued to the mucus and coughed out reflexively. Then further down the airway forks into the left and right. Getting smaller in diameter in the process. If it has made it this far it would most likely get caught landing in the crook of the fork, or in the now smaller tubes. And don't forget, our lungs are not big open sacks, they are more like sponges filled with little balloons the size of peas. Each of the branches makes another branch like a tree ending finally in a little sack.
Even if the hair made it's final resting place in your lung your body would probably just cover it with mucus and attempt to disolve it or cloister it off. It shouldn't make you sick.
2006-08-08 08:29:07 · answer #1 · answered by Crystal Violet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think that the sticky moisture in your trachea would keep the hair from going on down..
I have lived in a house full of large very hairy long haired dogs, for many years..I have never had any lung congestion related to dog hair, nor has any of my family..Yes, dogs sleep with us too..
2006-08-08 07:24:08 · answer #2 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for. I looked for the answers on other websites but I couldn't find them.
2016-08-23 03:51:40 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not think that's correct
2016-09-19 16:08:27 · answer #4 · answered by albertina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is bugging me as well
2016-07-27 06:24:45 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋