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Pepper Spray Remedies

Pepper spray is an effective deterrent as it temporarily disables any attacker not wearing a gas mask or other protective equipment. It's used by law enforcement, the military and is available to the public as a non-lethal self-defense weapon. However, accidents happen and the wrong people (i.e., innocent bystanders) can get sprayed due to carelessness, pepper spray getting into the wrong hands (i.e., kids) or being dispersed by the wind. There is no guaranteed remedy, but there are things you can do to lessen the immediate effects of coming into contact with pepper spray.

  1. How It Works

    • Pepper spray is mostly chili pepper with a little bit of water mixed in. It is a mucous membrane and skin irritant. Basically, pepper spray can affect your eyes, mouth, nose, genitals, throat, respiratory system and your skin. The effects of being sprayed or coming into contact with pepper spray generally last from 20 minutes to two hours depending on the pepper spray. It makes your eyes, nose and throat burn and can even burn your skin and make it difficult to breathe. It typically renders the sprayed person useless and immobile until the effects start to wear off.

    Taking Out the Sting

    • The best thing to do, if possible, is to get outside where the wind can help dissipate the pepper spray. Milk, honey and baking soda can neutralize the capsaicin (inflammatory agent) in the pepper spray, which usually takes the sting away, or at least minimizes it. Do not swallow if you are sprayed. Instead, spit and blow your nose. Rubbing your eyes only irritates them further, so keep them closed unless you are rinsing them out. If you wear contact lenses, have someone remove them for you, as long as the person's fingers have not come into contact with the pepper spray.

    Clean Up

    • Careful cleanup can prevent additional contamination. Throw away contact lenses that have been affected. Wash your hands with alcohol as it will help remove most, or all, of the pepper spray. Take a cold shower, as cold as you can stand it, to wash the pepper spray from your skin without opening your pores, which can cause further damage and discomfort. Throw away any contaminated clothes, or wash them multiple times. Avoiding contact with pepper spray by not being sprayed, or not touching people or things that have been sprayed is the safest thing you can do.

    Warning

    • Due to the harsh effects of pepper spray, people with chronic illnesses and compromised immune systems should seek immediate medical attention. Elderly people, children, pregnant and nursing mothers should also seek help. Anyone suffering from asthma or other respiratory issues should also receive prompt medical attention, as the effects of pepper spray can be fatal for people with respiratory problems.

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