Don’t panic—if there are other people around, don’t push or shove them as you all leave the area. Just move to fresh air as quickly and safely as you can. If you’re inside, open the doors and windows, then head outside to get fresh air. [3] X Trustworthy Source U. S. National Capital Poison Center Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives Go to source

In addition, rubbing your face or eyes increases the risk of having skin irritation or even scratches on your cornea. It might help if you blink your eyes rapidly to make them tear up. However, if you can’t open your eyes, don’t force them.

Wash your hands with soap and water first to avoid getting more pepper spray in your eyes. If you think you might be in a situation where pepper spray could be used—like you’re planning to go to a protest—it’s best to wear glasses instead of contacts. Glasses can easily be washed, and they may even help deflect some of the spray from getting in your eyes.

If you want to keep your clothes, wash them separately from other clothes in cool or cold water. It’s probably a good idea to wash them 2-3 times to make sure all of the pepper spray is rinsed out before you wear the clothing again. [7] X Research source Also, take off any jewelry and wash it with soap and water before you wear it again. If you can’t wash it, just throw it away. If you’ll be attending a protest, consider wearing old clothes that you don’t mind throwing out, just in case you get sprayed. Bring a change of clean clothes and a plastic bag to put your clothes in after you change.

If your skin is damaged, it may be more effective to use saline to rinse your eyes. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If there are emergency responders on the scene, they’ll have saline IV bags they can use to rinse your eyes. Cool water will probably feel best on your skin, but room-temperature water will work just as well. If you have artificial tears on hand, you can also try flushing your eyes with those. [10] X Expert Source Kerry Assil, MDBoard Certified Ophthalmologist Expert Interview. 4 September 2020.

Don’t use an oil-based soap, as that won’t be as effective. [13] X Research source

It’s better to just leave your clean, dry skin exposed to the fresh air until it doesn’t feel irritated anymore.