How to Recover From Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is aptly named after an ingredient it contains that is also found in chili peppers. This ingredient, oleoresin capsicum, can cause your skin or eyes to feel as if they are burning, similar to the feeling you might get if you accidentally rub pepper oil on your skin. Easing the discomfort involves lessening the pain and irritation. Using supplies found in most homes, you can treat areas affected by pepper spray and reduce the discomfort caused by it.

Things You'll Need

• Bowls
• Measuring cups
• Mild dishwashing liquid
• Water
• Whole milk
• Clean cotton cloth (optional)
• Saline solution

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Instructions

• 1

  Mix 1/4 cup mild dishwashing liquid with 3/4 cup of cool water in a bowl.

• 2

  Use a mild soapy solution to remove pepper oil.

  Dunk the affected areas into the soapy solution for 10 to 15 seconds at a time and then remove quickly. Repeat this 10 times. The soapy solution helps to remove the pepper oil which is what causes the burning sensation.

• 3

  Always use cool water on areas affected by pepper spray.

  Rinse the affected area with cool water.

• 4

  Milk relieves the burning sensation.

  Pour whole milk into a bowl. Soak the affected areas in the bowl for five minutes. Remove the affected areas from the milk to see if the burning sensation has dissipated. If not, repeat as often as necessary. While the milk does not remove the oils, it cools the skin, providing comfort.

• 5

  Rinse the affected area with cool water to remove the milk. Dry your skin with a clean cloth.

• 6

  Remove contacts or glasses if pepper spray gets in your eyes. Discard contacts immediately as they are now contaminated with pepper oil and it's difficult to remove the oil from contact lenses. Flush your eyes with saline solution. Follow this by blinking your eyes, for up to 30 minutes, to help remove any remaining oils from your eyes.