How to Handle Pepper Spray in Your Eyes

Medically reviewed by Theodore Leng, MD

Last Updated: March 3, 2024 References

Experts say it's important to rinse out your eyes immediately after getting pepper spray in them because you'll feel better faster.^{[1]
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Research source} Pepper spray, or oleoresin capsicum, may be used by police to control suspects or contain crowds, but it's also a popular method of self-defense. Research suggests that pepper spray can cause intense burning in your eyes, temporary blindness, respiratory issues, and burning skin when it's sprayed in your face.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} While you might be really scared and in pain, the effects of pepper spray usually wear off in about 15-30 minutes if you move to an area that's not contaminated.^{[3]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Minimizing Your Symptoms

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The symptoms of pepper spray might make you feel panicked and powerless, but try not to scream, clutch your eyes, or make any sudden movements. The pain will subside eventually. Take five deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose for five seconds and out through your mouth for five seconds.
If your vision is impaired, you may injure yourself further by trying to move by yourself. Ask someone to guide you to a place where you can flush your eyes and sit down.

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Blinking more frequently than usual can help to wash the pepper spray residue out of the eyes.^{[4]
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The rubbing will make the burning sensation worse.^{[5]
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Research source} While many people have the instinct to touch or rub their eyes, do not do this!
^{[6]
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Research source} Touching affected skin or clothes could spread the pepper spray to the person trying to help you. Be careful of contamination.
Take off the clothes carefully. Seal off the clothes in a plastic bag, if possible.^{[7]
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Research source} Try not to let the clothes touch anything.
^{[8]
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Research source} If you are inside, go outside, preferably somewhere breezy. Blow fresh air onto your face with a fan, if one is available.
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Call emergency services if you see symptoms of anaphylaxis. Going into anaphylactic shock is rare with pepper spray reactions,^{[9]
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Research source} but if you see any of these severe symptoms, call emergency services:
- Skin reactions, such as hives or itching
- Flushed or pale skin
- Warm feeling
- Having a “lump” in your throat
- Constricted airway, swollen tongue, and throat, trouble breathing
- Weak and rapid pulse
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Flushing Your Eyes with Water

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The pepper spray residue will not come out of the contact lenses.^{[10]
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Research source} Throw away the contact lenses immediately.
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Flush your eye, letting the water run from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner. Even though it might be uncomfortable, keep your eyelids open to let the water flow over your eyes. The water temperature should be warm, not hot or cold, and should be a temperature that is comfortable for you to flush your eyes for a long time.^{[11]
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Research source} There are a couple different methods you can use to flush your eye:
- Stand under a shower.
- Put your face under a faucet with running water.
- Spray your open eyes with a kitchen sink sprayer or a garden hose very gently.
- Fill a tub or pan with water and then immerse your face in it with eyes open.
- Pour water from a pitcher, jug, or water bottle over your open eye.^{[12]
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If it is still painful after fifteen minutes, consult a physician. ^{[13]
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Research source} Some sources, however, argue that pain is normal for up to two hours after pepper spray exposure to the eyes.^{[14]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Soothing Your Skin and Removing Pepper Spray

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Put whole milk on the affected area to soothe the skin. You should first soothe the skin with whole milk and then take away the pepper spray residue with a soap and water solution. While whole milk will not remove the oils causing your skin to burn, it will ease the burn. There are several ways you can apply whole milk to your skin:^{[15]
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- Put whole milk in a spray bottle and spray your skin.
- Pour it on a cloth or towel and then apply the cloth to your skin.
- Splash it directly onto your skin.
The solution should be 75% water and 25% dish soap, like Dawn. Make at least a gallon of this solution.
Do this for ten to fifteen seconds at a time, if your face is affected. Do not touch your face. Repeat this until your face begins to feel normal.
In removing the spray you may have gotten some on your hands. Soak your hands in the solution to remove the spray. Eventually, you may use your hands to use a solution-soaked towel or cloth to clean other affected parts of your body.
The solution may activate the capillaries a little bit, which might be painful; however, this process will take the oils from the pepper spray out of your skin.
The process of getting the pepper spray out is gradual. Be patient and remain calm.^{[16]
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Tips

Don't panic when you feel the effects of the pepper spray. Sometimes it can feel as though you can't breathe. Try to breathe normally.

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If you see someone being pepper-sprayed by someone who isn't a police officer, call emergency services for more immediate assistance and follow the direction of the dispatcher.

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If you get pepper-sprayed by someone who isn't a police officer, and you didn't do something illegal, call emergency services right away!

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Warnings

Never do something illegal, because someone can pepper spray you right away to stop you from:
- Committing a violent crime (e.g. in self-defense)
- Leaving after you clearly did something illegal (e.g. by a citizen's arrest), especially when it's a felony, and
- Resisting arrest if that person is a police officer who is arresting you, which is illegal, even if you're innocent.
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