
When you get targeted with pepper spray, you may immediately find it hard to breathe. You may cough, notice a runny nose, or find your eyes red and tearing. Those symptoms, however, generally fade quickly. But how long does it take to recover from pepper spray? In general, you should notice a significant improvement in symptoms after 20 to 30 minutes, with few immediate symptoms lingering beyond the 90-minute mark. However, a careful examination of how pepper spray works and the potential underlying challenges can help individuals who find themselves with ongoing effects. Call our pepper spray injury lawyer if you believe you need to file a lawsuit for compensation.
Basic Pepper Spray Mechanics
Pepper spray uses capsaicin, which is taken from chili peppers, to create a response in the individual who has been sprayed. Exposure to capsaicin in aerosol form leads to eye tearing and irritation, coughing, and lung complications. Most of the time, these reactions are involuntary, which means they can quickly incapacitate the individual who was exposed. Recovery takes several minutes, giving law enforcement time to act, or giving someone who has used pepper spray in self defense time to escape the immediate situation.
Pepper Spray Recovery
Pepper spray recovery usually takes several minutes, especially if the capsaicin is not removed. In general, the full effect of pepper spray lasts for between 20 and 90 minutes, with some recovery taking place between the 20 and 30 minute mark. However, several things can increase the effect of the pepper spray or make it take longer to recover.
Allergies
Individuals who are allergic to capsaicin may have an allergic response to pepper spray exposure, not just the typical tearing and eye irritation response. They may end up with symptoms that last for days, including rash or swelling. In some cases, an allergic reaction to pepper spray can lead to anaphylaxis, which can prove fatal.
Failure to Remove Exposed Clothing or Wash the Face
After exposure to pepper spray, exposed individuals may need to wash their face, irrigate their eyes, and remove any clothing exposed to the substance. Continued exposure can prevent the effect from diminishing. The oily nature of the pepper spray substance means that it may need to be washed off with soap, rather than simply rubbed away. Ongoing exposure may also mean that it takes longer to recover from pepper spray.
Underlying Conditions
Individuals with underlying conditions, including challenges like asthma or COPD that can affect the lungs, may need longer to recover from pepper spray. They may also have increased symptoms or difficulty recovering from pepper spray exposure. People with underlying health conditions may require additional care and close supervision from a medical professional as they recover from pepper spray.
Improper Use
Improper pepper spray use, including repeat exposure or a direct strike to the eyes, can further increase symptoms of exposure and make the recovery take longer.
Talk to a Lawyer About Legal Options After a Extended Pepper Spray Recovery
If you were exposed to pepper spray and took longer than usual to recover from that exposure, including ongoing challenges like difficulty breathing or eye damage, a lawyer can help you understand your rights. As you understand more about how long it takes to recover from pepper spray and what pepper spray recovery should look like, you may identify problems with the situation, including law enforcement personnel that used the pepper spray incorrectly. Reach out to a lawyer at AW Smith Law to learn more about your rights.