While purchasing and using pepper spray for personal protection is legal in Missouri, the product comes with significant risks to those who do not take the right precautions. If you do not know the best thing to do after you get pepper-sprayed, you are not alone. Whether your eyes are stinging, your throat is burning, or you are having difficulty breathing, you must act quickly to prevent long-term consequences.
Leave the Area
If someone discharges a can of pepper spray, leave the area immediately. While pepper spray has a relatively small range, it is important not to be exposed again. Missouri laws prohibit using pepper spray in government buildings and schools, as well as in bars and on commercial flights. Once a victim is safely out of range, contact law enforcement to report the incident.
Rinse Face and Eyes with Water
Pepper spray’s active ingredient is capsaicin. Found in chili peppers, this ingredient causes a painful burning sensation in sensitive areas like the eyes and skin, particularly if sprayed at close range.
Manufacturers designed this highly concentrated product to incapacitate people by temporarily blinding them, so sprayed individuals should immediately rinse their face and eyes thoroughly with cool water. Because the product is oil-based, it may be difficult to wash off. Do not rub, as doing so could make the symptoms worse.
Expose Skin to Air
Next, remove all clothing after being sprayed with pepper spray. Get somewhere safe as quickly as possible and expose the affected skin to air. Wearing clothing contaminated with lingering pepper spray could prolong exposure. Wash any affected fabrics in cold water, separately from other items. Air dry for several days to let the oils decompose, or consider discarding the clothes altogether. Remember to always use gloves when handling sprayed clothing.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Being exposed to pepper spray is no laughing matter. In addition to the immediate incapacitating effects, the active ingredient could cause long-term health complications, such as severe burns and permanent damage to one’s eyes. While exposure is rarely fatal, there are several serious injuries related to capsaicin, including corneal abrasions and skin blisters. People with respiratory conditions, such as asthma or COPD, are at a greater risk of developing pulmonary symptoms, including wheezing or difficulty breathing.
Contact an Attorney Regarding What to Do After Being Pepper-Sprayed
Finally, after you have been pepper-sprayed, contact AW Smith Law. If exposure to this toxic substance caused you health complications, our pepper spray attorneys could work hard to recover damages on your behalf.
