The smell of chemicals on breath or clothing, or paint stains around the face, nose or hands, can also indicate that a person has been inhaling substances. Clinicians who encounter a huffer still under the influence should immediately get the person to a well-ventilated area. But don't excite the patient, says Weiss, since agitation could cause sudden sniffing death syndrome. Children who regularly engage in inhalant abuse often show signs even when they're not under the influence. Regular chemical irritation can cause red, watery eyes, a swollen nose, or sores around the nose or mouth.
Users often experience weight loss and changes in personality.
Encouraging adolescents to experience the natural highs that come from peer group activities rather than destructive, drug-induced highs should be an automatic for every clinician working with the age group. But if a provider senses an inhalant abuse problem, it's her professional responsibility to address it specifically. And don't hesitate to take the problem elsewhere. Despite the conditional confidentiality she offers her patients, Dr. Tuttle says she'd consider breaking it if a child showed signs of huffing. Chances are good that the child who is huffing needs help quitting.