Yesterday, I was spray painting my bathroom cabinet for about 5 to 10 minutes without wearing a mask. Around 20 minutes later, I started feeling short of breath. Today, I'm still having some shortness of breath, though not as bad as before, and Ive been coughing a bit. A friend gave me some cough drops which helped a little. Should I wait a few more days to see if it gets better, or is it something I should go to the hospital for?
Its possible that inhaling the spray paint fumes irritated your airways, causing shortness of breath and coughing. If your symptoms are improving, rest, stay hydrated, and avoid irritants. However, if you feel worsening shortness of breath, chest tightness, or persistent discomfort, its best to visit a hospital for evaluation.