The main ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, a natural ingredient present in all kinds of chilies and peppers. This ingredient not only adds spiciness to food, but also causes a severe burning sensation if it comes in contact with skin. The burning sensation may last from a few hours to even a couple of days. When pepper spray has made contact with your skin, ensure that you take immediate measures to remove it from your skin to stop the capsaicin from burning your skin. Water is not effective when it comes to dissolving capsaicin, therefore it will not be helpful if you wash the affected area with water. While using water to wash, try and mix it with a mild shampoo, detergent or even a strong soap. The ratio of water and detergent should be 25 to 75 and the stronger the solution, the easier it will be to remove the pepper spray from your skin. Soaking your hands in a bowl of ice cold water or even in a bowl of ice cubes may help control the burning sensation. Capsaicin is in fact soluble in fatty substances. Therefore, you can try to remove it from your skin with the help of petroleum jelly, moisturizer or other oils. Moisturizer applied on the affected area everyday helps not only to cure the burn, but also keeps the area from becoming dry while it is healing.
Milk is also effective in treating a pepper burn. It contains a compound that reacts against the capsaicin and helps cure the burn faster. You must therefore, soak the affected area in a bowl of cold milk for immediate relief. This will help soothe the burning sensation and will help dissolve the capsaicin on your skin. Aloe vera is another effective remedy in the treatment of pepper burns. Apply aloe vera on the affected area to help reduce the burning sensation on your skin. Rubbing some flour on the affected area may provide some immediate short term relief. The juice of lemon is very effective in treating pepper burns. Rub the juice of a lemon on the affected area for relief from burning. You can also try using the pulp of tomatoes to heal pepper burns. Take the pulp of two tomatoes and add cooking oil to it. Dilute this with the help of cold water and soak the affected area in this solution for some time. This will help cure pepper burns and will accelerate your skin’s recovery. Honey is also useful in the treatment of pepper burns. Rub some honey on the affected area at least every three hours to help reduce the burning sensation.