Wir überwinden Grenzen

Experts at Freiburg University Medical Center warn of severe mucous membrane irritation / Only use irritant gas in an emergency

On Friday, March 22, 2019, irritant gas was presumably sprayed at an elementary school in Freiburg. Irritant gas, also known as pepper spray CS or tear gas, is supposed to be used in self-defense situations to ward off assailants. The sprays are actually subject to the Weapons Act, but are often declared differently and are freely available for sale. Pepper sprays are only permitted in Germany against animals due to their very strong effect. Pepper sprays should only be used in an emergency - never misused or used carelessly - as the gas can cause severe irritation to the mucous membranes.

"Pepper spray can cause contact irritation in the eyes or respiratory tract," says Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Busch, Medical Director of the University Emergency Center (UNZ) at the Freiburg University Medical Center. In the worst case, the spray could even trigger an asthma attack and become life-threatening. In order to neutralize the irritants and alleviate the sometimes severe pain, it is important to start cleaning the affected areas immediately. "Irritation can also occur on the skin," says Prof. Busch. "At the University Emergency Center, we try to clean the affected areas, including the eyes, with lukewarm running water," explains Prof. Busch. "If the airways are affected, patients are given inhalations of oxygen and substances that dilate the bronchi."

"Anyone who gets pepper spray in their eyes must wash them out immediately with plenty of clean water," says Prof. Dr. Thomas Reinhard, Medical Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Freiburg University Medical Center. "The substances contained in the spray attack the cornea and conjunctiva and can lead to inflammation that lasts for weeks." The Department of Ophthalmology uses special fluids to rinse the surface of the eye for treatment. "For more severe burns, cortisone injections under the conjunctiva and amniotic shells made from human egg skin are also used to achieve rapid surface regeneration. Tear production in particular can be influenced by irritation with pepper spray. This can be very problematic for the affected patients in the long term," says Prof. Reinhard.

Both experts advise those affected not to further irritate the areas that have come into contact with the irritant gas, for example by rubbing. As pepper spray can cause serious injuries such as breathing difficulties, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible. At the University Medical Center Freiburg, experts are available at the University Emergency Center and in the Eye Emergency Practice at the Department of Ophthalmology.

Contact: 
University Emergency Center 
University Medical Center Freiburg 
Sir-Hans-A.-Krebs-Straße 
Registration first floor 
Phone: 0761 270-33333

Emergency Eye Clinic at the Department of Ophthalmology 
University Medical Center Freiburg 
Killianstraße 5 
Registration main floor 
Phone: 0761 270-40010