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question for law enforcement fellows...........pepper spray?

Fri, 02/04/2011 - 13:36
mania's picture
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if you are a cop or military you have most likely been sprayed with pepper spray before. if you develop a chemical burn, what did you do to treat it?

i used capsaizin rub on a sore elbow and it eff'd my skin up! i have a terrible chem burn on my skin now. apparently it is comprised of the same stuff in habanero peppers and pepper spray. the burning is brutal and interrupted my workout session today. any tips on what will ease the burning. i read it can last anywhere from 6 hours to 3 days.

if you cant beat them, arrange to have them beaten.
-george carlin

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Fri, 02/04/2011 - 13:54
#1
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What we use to treat people we have sprayed is just cool water and then pat dry and let air get to it. No creams or salves, its just like a regular burn and lotions and such will hold the heat in. best thing you can do is keep it dry and clean and if it does not start to get better or increases in pain you should probably go see a doctor. Feel better!


Never argue with an idiot, cause he'll bring you down to his level and beat you with experience

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Fri, 02/04/2011 - 14:22
#2
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When i went through the pepper spray training They had us use baby shampoo and it stopped the burning pretty quickly. Or any other hypoalergenic soap

i know you didnt see that one coming but it wouldnt have mattered cause your chin was high and your hands down away!

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Fri, 02/04/2011 - 16:10
#3
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Baby shampoo works alright, but if its not right after exposure Im not sure it will help out so much. It kinda of sounds like your in the .1% of the population that has a nasty reaction above and beyond the usual.

I personally was disappointed with the relief baby shampoo gave so I scrubbed with regular bar soap... I imagine liquid antibacterial dial would be even better.

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Fri, 02/04/2011 - 16:45
#4
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Usually just time. You can also try flushing it with lots of water. Barbara The particles get in your skin and it takes a little time to get them out. You'll probably feel it when you get in the shower again. A day or so and you should be good as new.

Fear not the man who practices 1000 moves. Fear the man who practices one move 1000 times.

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Fri, 02/04/2011 - 22:23
#5
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Sudecon decontamination wipes work great for clean up OC, CS and CN. Highly recommended.

The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.

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Fri, 02/04/2011 - 22:51
#6
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I made the same mistake. I used it on my knees and feet which was a very bad idea! I didn't take into consideration that the skin was rough from years of training. It took about a day and a half for it to go away. Slept like crap. I tried everything i could think of to try and wash it off. Nothing worked for me. I kept putting ice packs on for some relief.

Don Frye for president!

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Sat, 02/05/2011 - 00:24
#7
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As others have said, for the first 24 hours or so, just clean it and keep it clean and dry. If you still have pain after that time (a true chemical burn as opposed to chemical irritation) you can try aloe vera with lidocaine. It will help with the pain and usually helps with healing.

Good luck,

Dave

Alive MMA/Brazilian Top Team
Portland, OR

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Sat, 02/05/2011 - 06:03
#8
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i got desperate and tried a grandma fix. worked like jesus building a storage shed for the disciples.........fast!

almost frozen tomato soup, sauce, or paste; your choice. smear it on and let it dry wash it off with cold water. apply again. two applications did it! took about 40 minutes and all that was left are the small red spots where the blisters were forming. they dont hurt at all.

i wish i had a way to post the pic here from my cell phone. i am as honkey as it gets with pale glow in the dark skin of a ginger scotsman. 15 minutes in the sun with out sunblock and i am toast. i use nothing less than 50 spf. my skin is ultra sensitive but i have NEVER had something burn like that. next time i get burned in any fashion, its cold tomato paste for me.

i first had to use an orange to the clear my skin of any left over residue from the capsaizin.

if you cant beat them, arrange to have them beaten.
-george carlin

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