Why does smoke hurt your throat?

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Does the smoke burn your throat or something? I just don’t get how that works because the smoke doesn’t feel hot?

In: Biology

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Smoke is made up of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and tiny physical particles that can contain all types of other chemicals depending on what is burning. All of these irritate the sensitive lining of your throat, which can cause pain and inflammation. Smoke is also hotter then you realize. You might not feel it with your hands, but the tiny soot particles you’re breathing in can be very hot. This is why smokers are often coughing up phlegm and prone to infection. They are burning off all the tiny hairs that line your airway that help move bacteria and other substances along. These tiny hairs are one of the first things to return after people quit smoking.