Pepper spray is used in riot control and for personal self-defence. It is a non-lethal chemical agent that can be sprayed into an attacker's face or into the air. But it is also sometimes used as a weapon on innocent people.
Advertisement
This spray spray contains capsaicin, which is derived from plants in the chilli family, which partially explains why being sprayed is such an unpleasant experience.
Pepper spray is an inflammatory substance, while tear gas and mace are irritants. It can be legally purchased in South Africa over the counter, but it is banned in the UK.
It affects the mucuous membranes, and it causes the capillaries to dilate, causing temporary blindness in some people.
It also affects the tissues lining the bronchial tube, and the person who has been sprayed, may develop temporary breathing difficulties. The eyes, the throat, the nose and the lungs can be affected for up to an hour and a half.
How to treat a pepper spray victim
Milk, a paste of baking soda and honey are said to help remove traces of pepper spray from the skin and face.
But actually, there are only two things that can reverse the effects of pepper spray and these are time and fresh air. Some relief can be provided by flushing the eyes with copious amounts of water. Constant blinking also helps, as tears can help to wash out the irritant.
Bookmark with:
What are social bookmarks?