TOTAL EM
  • Emergency Professionals
  • For The Public
  • Our Friends
  • About Us and Disclaimer
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Contact Us

Emergency Professionals

Podcast #203 - Treatment for Exposure to Tear Gas and Pepper Spray

6/9/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
Law enforcement has used tear gas and pepper spray to help with crowd control.  Many of those exposed will require some form of treatment.  This post is meant to help provide some guidance in regards to the treatment of such injuries.
Pepper Spray
How it works:
Pepper Spray is a lachrymatory agent (stimulates the eyes to produce tears).  Its active ingredient is oleoresin capsicum which is the same chemical that creates the heat you feel with chili peppers.  The dispersion is as an aerosol of liquid spray (images below from USA Today article).  It can cause irritation of the eyes and pain which can result in temporary blindness.  Additionally, it can cause burning and swelling of the nasal mucosa as well as a runny nose.  If inhaled, it can suddenly increase blood pressure and shortness of breath.  In patients with asthma or COPD, it can cause complications that can lead to death.

Treatment:
Any clothing that has pepper spray on it should be taken off as soon as possible.  It is also important to avoid pulling the clothing over the head.  Clothing should be stored in a plastic bag, sealed, and safely disposed.  Washing the skin with copious amount of water and using soap helps avoid further spread.  It is vital to avoid rubbing eyes as this can cause the compound to spread or go deeper.  Blinking and flushing the eyes can help remove the oils from the pepper spray.  Baby shampoo or diluted dish-washing soap may be helpful.  While milk has been used, it only reduces the burning sensation but does not remove the oil.  Based on a 2018 study, baby shampoo does not appear to work better than plain water.  When  in doubt, call the regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Picture
Picture
Tear Gas
How it Works:
​​Tear gas is actually a powder that is released as an aerosol.  The two types most commonly used by law enforcement are 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) and chloroacetophenone (CN).  It activates pain receptors to the areas affected and can be considered a nerve agent.  It can cause exaggerated muscle cramping leading to involuntary closing of the eyelids, excessive tearing, blurry vision, itchiness, temporary blindness, chemical burns, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.  It can be difficult to swallow and lead to drooling.  Once again, people with asthma or COPD are at higher risk for complications.  Both pepper spray and tear gas can cause significant complications including long-term such as pulmonary edema, glaucoma, and laryngospasm. 

Treatment:
Overall, the treatment is similar to pepper spray.  Those exposed should be removed from the environment and taken to fresh air.  The vapor cloud is dense so higher ground can also be beneficial to avoid exposure.  Quickly removing clothing, washing skin, and irrigate the eyes.  It is important to dispose of contacts but glasses, once properly cleaned, may be used again.

Let us know what you think by giving us feedback here in the comments section or contacting us on Twitter or Facebook.  Remember to look us up on Libsyn and on Apple Podcasts.  If you have any questions you can also comment below, email at [email protected], or send a message from the page.  We hope to talk to everyone again soon.  Until then, continue to provide total care everywhere.
podcast_203.mp3
File Size: 7270 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

1 Comment
Anthony Keller link
6/30/2024 03:21:52 am

Great post thankyouu

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Libsyn and iTunes

    We are now on Libsyn and iTunes ​for your listening pleasure!

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    Categories

    All

    Picture

    RSS Feed

Our Pages

Emergency Professionals
For the Public
Our Friends

Support

About Us and Disclaimer
Contact Us
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Emergency Professionals
  • For The Public
  • Our Friends
  • About Us and Disclaimer
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Contact Us