I keep reading articles and posting from well meaning people advising protesters and other people exposed to pepper spray to use milk, water downed milk or milk of magnesia to counter the after effects.
Pepper spray is aninflammatoryagent. It causes an immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and coughing. The duration of its effects depends on the strength of the spray Average full recovery time is in thirty to forty-five minutes range.
There are 2 things you should do if you are effected by pepper spray.
- Remove yourself from the contaminated area.
- Expose your eyes to fresh air. Car AC vents are the best but a breeze will do. The sooner you can open your eyes and blink the faster the recovery time will be. The blinking and tearing will force the pepper spray that is now dried on your eyeballs out. What about contacts? They almost always flush themselves out. Do not stick your fingers in your ojos. Or worse let a non medical professional do it.
Bonus:
If available flush your eyes with copious amounts of running cold water. Again get your eyes blinking as soon as possible. If the water is in a bucket only dunk your head once or your going back into contaminated water. A dab of baby shampoo is also helpful for the first stage of removing the pepper spray residue from your hair, eye brows and facial hair.
After care:
Clothes:Take all your contaminated clothes and wash alone with no other clothing in cold water with a medium detergent for at least 15 minutes.
You: Get in the shower using cold water and get your head as low as possible when you enter the water. The water will most reactivate the pepper spray and it will run down your body from your head if you skip this step. With just your finger tips work your hair thoroughly, then shampoo.
Aaron Warren
WTAC Training
California POST Chemical Agents Instructor - Safariland Chemical Agents Instructor
FAQs
Popular strategies for removing pepper spray include baby shampoo, milk, antacids, and lidocaine. However, a 2008 study comparing these strategies found no evidence that they were more effective than water.
What does OC do in pepper spray? ›
Pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum spray, OC spray, capsaicin spray, or capsicum spray is a lachrymator (tear gas) product containing the compound capsaicin as the active ingredient that irritates the eyes to cause burning and pain sensations, as well as temporary blindness.
Does vaseline help against OC spray? ›
Pepper Spray is oil based. It'll cling to your moisturizer. Don't even think about using Vaseline.
How long does it take to recover from OC? ›
Subjects sprayed with OC will fully recover from the effects without any special treatment or aftercare, with almost full recovery in about forty-five (45) minutes. If a person has not recovered within forty-five minutes, officers shall transport the subject to the Emergency Room.
Does baking soda help with OC spray? ›
So we can Verify, experts say using baking soda and water is not an effective way to neutralize pepper spray. Our experts, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suggest using soapy water on your skin and irrigating your eyes with water instead.
Does Dawn dish soap help with OC spray? ›
Blink rapidly to cause your eyes to tear up. This may help to flush some of the pepper spray out of your eyes. Wash your skin with a cleansing solution, such as hand soap, shampoo or even dish soap, and rinse with water. Soaps help break up and remove the oil when water can't.
Does milk help with OC spray? ›
Milk helps with pepper spray, but not tear gas.
While milk might provide some cooling relief to irritation, it doesn't do much to help people exposed to tear gas. “With pepper spray, milk helps break down those oils,” says Bhuyan. “Diluted baby shampoo is another option.
Does baby shampoo help with OC spray? ›
Conclusion: Irrigation with water and baby shampoo provides no better relief from OC- or CS-induced discomfort than irrigation with water alone.
Does ice help with OC spray? ›
Ice can help soothe irritation after the fact.
Although the most intense pain should be over in about 30 minutes or so, you might still feel a mild burning sensation for up to a few days after being hit with pepper spray. Apply a wrapped ice pack to the burning areas for 5-10 minutes to help ease your pain.
What is oleoresin capsicum? ›
Oleoresin capsicum (OC) is a product based on cayenne pepper that can be used safely and effectively by police personnel to incapacitate violent and resistant offenders without causing injury to the suspect or unacceptable risk to the police officer.
SABRE products are police grade pepper spray—as a matter of fact, we're the #1 brand trusted by law enforcement worldwide. These tactical models are perfect for public safety officers or anyone requiring something specific, like a larger size model or the smallest pocket pepper spray.
Does water activate OC spray? ›
You: Get in the shower using cold water and get your head as low as possible when you enter the water. The water will most reactivate the pepper spray and it will run down your body from your head if you skip this step.
How long does OC spray burn last? ›
If you were sprayed in the face with pepper spray, you would immediately feel a burning sensation in your eyes, nose and mouth, and possibly even your throat and on your skin. This burning feeling, if left untreated, can last anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes.
Are some people not affected by OC spray? ›
We have not encountered anyone who is “immune” to pepper spray. Neither have several of our friends on the Police force. Some people may fare better than others. But, all things considered, pepper spray is a highly valuable and reliable tool to deter aggression.
