Abstract
IntroductionOleoresin capsicum (OC) or pepper spray, and tear gas (CS) are used by police and the military and produce severe discomfort. Some have proposed that washing with baby shampoo helps reduce this discomfort.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study to determine if baby shampoo is effective in reducing the severity and duration of these effects. Study subjects included volunteers undergoing OC or CS exposure as part of their police or military training. After standardized exposure to OC or CS all subjects were allowed to irrigate their eyes and skin ad lib with water. Those randomized to the intervention group were provided with baby shampoo for application to their head, neck, and face. Participants rated their subjective discomfort in two domains on a scale of 0–10 at 0, 3, 5, 10, and 15 minutes. We performed statistical analysis using a two-tailed Mann-Whitney Test.ResultsThere were 58 participants. Of 40 subjects in the OC arm of the study, there were no significant differences in the ocular or respiratory discomfort at any of the time points between control (n=19) and intervention (n=21) groups. Of 18 subjects in the CS arm, there were no significant differences in the ocular or skin discomfort at any of the time points between control (n=8) and intervention (n=10) groups.ConclusionIrrigation with water and baby shampoo provides no better relief from OC- or CS-induced discomfort than irrigation with water alone.
Highlights
Oleoresin capsicum (OC) or pepper spray, and tear gas (CS) are used by police and the military and produce severe discomfort
Some have proposed that washing with baby shampoo helps reduce this discomfort
We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study to determine if baby shampoo is effective in reducing the severity and duration of these effects
Summary
Oleoresin capsicum (OC) or pepper spray, and tear gas (CS) are used by police and the military and produce severe discomfort. Chemical irritant agents are sometimes used by law enforcement officers and by the military to subdue violent or threatening subjects and to control crowds.[1,2] The most common of these agents include oleoresin capsicum (OC), commonly known as pepper spray, and orthochlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS), commonly known as tear gas. Both cause pain and irritation of the eyes, skin and mucosal surfaces.[3] Aerosolized OC preparations are available to the general public in the United States as a self-defense weapon. Two of the common methods used for decontamination are irrigation with tap water and blowing cool air onto the face and
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