Today, I want to share with you my journey into understanding something we often hear about but rarely discuss in depth - pepper spray.
Have you ever bitten into a hot chili pepper? Remember that fiery sensation? Now, imagine that feeling amplified and spread across your face, seeping into your eyes, nose, and throat. That's what it's like to come in contact with pepper spray.
The active ingredient in pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum (OC), is a natural oil found in many types of hot peppers. It's an inflammatory agent that causes the eyes and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract to swell up, leading to pain and even temporary blindness. To give you an idea of its intensity, while a jalapeno pepper measures around 8,000 Scoville heat units (SHU), typical pepper spray is rated between a staggering 500,000 and 5,000,000 SHU.
So, How Dangerous is Pepper Spray Really?
In most cases, the immediate effects of being sprayed with pepper spray include a burning sensation in the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat, difficulty breathing, and temporary blindness when the eyes swell shut. These effects can last up to an hour if left untreated, though some people report feeling discomfort for several days.
Through my research, I've found that the majority of studies state that OC pepper spray is non-toxic and safe. There is no evidence to suggest that pepper spray causes long-term vision problems. However, repeated exposure can trigger changes in corneal sensitivity. And for those of us with allergies, asthma, or pre-existing heart conditions, the reaction may be more severe.
How to Soothe the Burn of Pepper Spray
If you or someone you know comes in contact with pepper spray, here are a few ways to help relieve the burn:
- Blink your eyes rapidly: This will cause your eyes to tear up and may help flush out some of the pepper spray.
- Wash your skin with soap: Use a cleaner such as hand soap, shampoo, or even dish soap, and then rinse with water. Soap will help break up and remove the oil.
- Try a "no tears" baby shampoo: Use the tear-free shampoo to help rinse the pepper spray from the eye area. The shampoo will help remove the oil, and it is sensitive enough not to cause more irritation to the eyes.
- Apply a towel soaked in milk to your eyes: Whole milk is an effective pain reliever for pepper spray because the fat stops the compounds in the spray from engaging the nerve endings in your body.
- Use an ice pack: Holding an ice pack over your eyes can also help relieve the burn.
If you are wearing contact lenses, try to remove them immediately and dispose of them. If you're concerned about your vision after being sprayed, don't hesitate to contact your eye doctor.