Pepper spray: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
Pepper (oleoresin capsicum) spray is commonly used riot-control and violence suppressive agent.  It was first used by Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel in the US in 1973.<ref> Object of Interest: Pepper Spray. The New Yorker http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/object-of-interest-pepper-spray</ref> The majority of the uses do not cause life threatening clinical effects. Commonly encountered effects include [[conjunctivitis]], blepharospasm, and self induced [[corneal abrasions]]. Early decontamination minimizes the irritant effects.<ref>Yeung MF, William YM. Clinicopathological effects of pepper (oleoresin capsicum) spray. Hong Kong Med Journal 21(6). 2015</ref>  
Pepper (oleoresin capsicum) spray is a commonly used riot-control and violence suppressive agent.  It was first used by Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel in the US in 1973.<ref> Object of Interest: Pepper Spray. The New Yorker http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/object-of-interest-pepper-spray</ref> The majority of the uses do not cause life threatening clinical effects. Commonly encountered effects include [[conjunctivitis]], blepharospasm, and self induced [[corneal abrasions]]. Early decontamination minimizes the irritant effects.<ref>Yeung MF, William YM. Clinicopathological effects of pepper (oleoresin capsicum) spray. Hong Kong Med Journal 21(6). 2015</ref>  
 
===Active Ingredients===
===Active Ingredients===
Oleoresin capsicum (OC) is the main active ingredient and is extracted from the genus of the plant ''Capsicum annuum''.  The five capsaicinoids include:
Oleoresin capsicum (OC) is the main active ingredient and is extracted from the genus of the plant ''Capsicum annuum''.  The five capsaicinoids include:
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#Homodihydrocapsaicin
#Homodihydrocapsaicin
Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin constitute 80-90% of pepper spray<ref>Reilly CA, Crouch DJ, Yost GS, Fatah AA. Determination of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and nonivamide in selfdefense
Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin constitute 80-90% of pepper spray<ref>Reilly CA, Crouch DJ, Yost GS, Fatah AA. Determination of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and nonivamide in selfdefense
weapons by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2001;912:259-67.</ref>  
weapons by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2001;912:259-67.</ref>
 
===Death Associated with Pepper Spray===
*A Patient with excited delirium, placed in physical restraint (handcuffed in prone position) with a history of chronic [[bronchitis]] experienced asphyxia due to bronchospasm<ref> Steffee CH et al. Oleoresin capsicum (pepper) spray and “in-custody deaths.” Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1995;16:185-92. </ref>
 
==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Painful burning sensation on skin
*Painful burning sensation on skin
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*Throat pain
*Throat pain
==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
===Medical Conditions===
*[[Asthma exacerbation]]
*[[Caustic keratoconjunctivitis]]
{{Chemical weapon DDX}}
{{Chemical weapon DDX}}


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
Evaluation is focused on the irritated bodily area which is usually the eyes, throat, and skin, and lungs.<ref>Zollman TM, Bragg RM, Harrison DA. Clinical effects of oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) on the human cornea and conjunctiva. Ophthalmology 2000;107:2186-9.</ref>  
''Evaluation is focused on the irritated bodily area which is usually the eyes, throat, and skin, and lungs.<ref>Zollman TM, Bragg RM, Harrison DA. Clinical effects of oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) on the human cornea and conjunctiva. Ophthalmology 2000;107:2186-9.</ref> ''
===Ophthalmologic===
===Ophthalmologic===
*Assess for [[corneal abrasions]] (approx 7% incidence) and [[blepharitis]]
*Assess for [[corneal abrasions]] (approx 7% incidence) and [[blepharitis]]
**Patients may have decreased corneal sensation from 10 min after exposure to up to 1-2 hours and should be instructed to wear sunglasses or eyeware for protection.<ref>Epstein RJ, Majmudar PA. Pepper spray in the eye. Ophthalmology 2001;108:1712-3.</ref>
**Patients may have decreased corneal sensation from 10 min after exposure to up to 1-2 hours and should be instructed to wear sunglasses or eyeware for protection.<ref>Epstein RJ, Majmudar PA. Pepper spray in the eye. Ophthalmology 2001;108:1712-3.</ref>


===Pulmonary==
===Pulmonary===
*Patients with underlying respiratory disease such as [[COPD]] and [[asthma]] may experience shortness of breath or wheezing.  To evaluation for [[Chemical pneumonitis]] a chest X-ray may be useful.
*Bronchoconstriction can be improved with inhaled beta-2 agonists such s [[albuterol]]
 
===ENT===
*Nasal and pharyngeal erythema and irritation will resolve quickly after decontamination
*Laryngospasm lasting up to 45 seconds has been described<ref>Smith CG, Stopford W. Health hazards of pepper spray.  Available from: http://duketox.mc.duke.edu/pepper%20
spray.pdf. Accessed 1 Dec 2014.</ref>
 
===Dermatologic===
*Patients may experience transient dermatitis and allodynia which will self resolve<ref>Kennedy WR, Vanhove GF, Lu SP, et al. A randomized,
controlled, open-label study of the long-term effects of NGX-4010, a high-concentration capsaicin patch, on epidermal nerve fiber density and sensory function in healthy volunteers. J Pain 2010;11:579-87. </ref>
 
==Management==
==Management==
Treatment should be consistent with any specific injuries that are identified.  Treat any:
Treatment should be consistent with any specific injuries that are identified.  Injuries that require treatment are generally only:
*[[Corneal abrasion]]
*[[Corneal abrasion]]
*[[Dermatitis]]
*[[Blepharitis]]
*[[Blepharitis]]
*[[Laryngospasm]]
*[[Laryngospasm]]
*[[Chemical pneumonitis]]
*[[Chemical pneumonitis]]
*[[Shortness of breath]]
===Ophthalmologic===
*Evaluate and treat any [[corneal abrasions]]
===Pulmonary===
*Patients with evidence of wheezing and bronchospasm may benefit from [[albuterol]] therapy
===ENT===
*Most pharyngitis and mucosal irritation will self resolve
===Dermatologic===
*Cool water exposure to any irritated or erythematous areas may help reduce cutaneous pain.


===Dermatological===
==Death Associated with Pepper Spray==
*Patient with excited delirium, placed in physical restraint (handcuffed in prone position) with a history of chronic [[bronchitis]] experienced asphyxia due to bronchospasm<Steffee CH, Lantz PE, Flannagan LM, Thompson RL, Jason DR. Oleoresin capsicum (pepper) spray and “in-custody deaths.” Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1995;16:185-92. </ref>
==Disposition==
==Disposition==
Patients can generally be discharged.  Only those with severe respiratory complaints may require a longer observation period in the Emergency Department


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Chemical weapons]]


==External Links==
==External Links==
*[http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ist/?next=/history/forgotten-history-mace-designed-29-year-old-and-reinvented-police-weapon-180953239/ The forgotten history of Mace]


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category:Trauma]] [[Category:Toxicology]]

Latest revision as of 03:52, 5 October 2016

Background

Pepper (oleoresin capsicum) spray is a commonly used riot-control and violence suppressive agent. It was first used by Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel in the US in 1973.[1] The majority of the uses do not cause life threatening clinical effects. Commonly encountered effects include conjunctivitis, blepharospasm, and self induced corneal abrasions. Early decontamination minimizes the irritant effects.[2]

Active Ingredients

Oleoresin capsicum (OC) is the main active ingredient and is extracted from the genus of the plant Capsicum annuum. The five capsaicinoids include:

  1. Capsaicin
  2. Dihydrocapsaicin
  3. Nordihydrocapsaicin
  4. homocapsaicin
  5. Homodihydrocapsaicin

Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin constitute 80-90% of pepper spray[3]

Death Associated with Pepper Spray

  • A Patient with excited delirium, placed in physical restraint (handcuffed in prone position) with a history of chronic bronchitis experienced asphyxia due to bronchospasm[4]

Clinical Features

  • Painful burning sensation on skin
  • Involuntary eye closure
  • Decreased hand eye coordination
  • Lacrimation
  • Blepharospasm
  • Conjunctival injection
  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Throat pain

Differential Diagnosis

Medical Conditions

Chemical weapons

Evaluation

Evaluation is focused on the irritated bodily area which is usually the eyes, throat, and skin, and lungs.[5]

Ophthalmologic

  • Assess for corneal abrasions (approx 7% incidence) and blepharitis
    • Patients may have decreased corneal sensation from 10 min after exposure to up to 1-2 hours and should be instructed to wear sunglasses or eyeware for protection.[6]

Pulmonary

  • Patients with underlying respiratory disease such as COPD and asthma may experience shortness of breath or wheezing. To evaluation for Chemical pneumonitis a chest X-ray may be useful.
  • Bronchoconstriction can be improved with inhaled beta-2 agonists such s albuterol

ENT

  • Nasal and pharyngeal erythema and irritation will resolve quickly after decontamination
  • Laryngospasm lasting up to 45 seconds has been described[7]

Dermatologic

  • Patients may experience transient dermatitis and allodynia which will self resolve[8]

Management

Treatment should be consistent with any specific injuries that are identified. Injuries that require treatment are generally only:

Ophthalmologic

Pulmonary

  • Patients with evidence of wheezing and bronchospasm may benefit from albuterol therapy

ENT

  • Most pharyngitis and mucosal irritation will self resolve

Dermatologic

  • Cool water exposure to any irritated or erythematous areas may help reduce cutaneous pain.

Disposition

Patients can generally be discharged. Only those with severe respiratory complaints may require a longer observation period in the Emergency Department

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Object of Interest: Pepper Spray. The New Yorker http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/object-of-interest-pepper-spray
  2. Yeung MF, William YM. Clinicopathological effects of pepper (oleoresin capsicum) spray. Hong Kong Med Journal 21(6). 2015
  3. Reilly CA, Crouch DJ, Yost GS, Fatah AA. Determination of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and nonivamide in selfdefense weapons by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2001;912:259-67.
  4. Steffee CH et al. Oleoresin capsicum (pepper) spray and “in-custody deaths.” Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1995;16:185-92.
  5. Zollman TM, Bragg RM, Harrison DA. Clinical effects of oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) on the human cornea and conjunctiva. Ophthalmology 2000;107:2186-9.
  6. Epstein RJ, Majmudar PA. Pepper spray in the eye. Ophthalmology 2001;108:1712-3.
  7. Smith CG, Stopford W. Health hazards of pepper spray. Available from: http://duketox.mc.duke.edu/pepper%20 spray.pdf. Accessed 1 Dec 2014.
  8. Kennedy WR, Vanhove GF, Lu SP, et al. A randomized, controlled, open-label study of the long-term effects of NGX-4010, a high-concentration capsaicin patch, on epidermal nerve fiber density and sensory function in healthy volunteers. J Pain 2010;11:579-87.