How do medical organizations recommend treating tear gas exposure in the field?
Executive summary
Medical organizations and public-health authorities converge on a simple, evidence‑based field protocol: stop the exposure, move to fresh air, remove contaminated clothing, and wash thoroughly (especially eyes and hair), because most symptoms are self-limiting and resolve within minutes to an hour; there is no antidote and treatment is largely supportive, with escalation to oxygen, bronchodilators, or specialist ophthalmic care when symptoms persist or are severe (CDC; PHR; StatPearls) [1][2][3].
1. Stop the exposure and get fresh air immediately
The first, universal instruction from CDC, state health agencies, and clinical reviews is to remove the person from the contaminated area and to get them into fresh air as quickly as possible, because ongoing inhalation or contact prolongs and worsens injury [1][4][5].
2. Remove contaminated clothing and prevent secondary exposure
Contaminated clothing can continue to off‑gas or rub irritant onto skin and caregivers are advised to remove clothes promptly and seal them in plastic to prevent secondary contamination; medical staff should wear gloves and eye protection when assisting [6][4].
3. Decontaminate with copious water—eyes, skin, hair
Major sources recommend copious irrigation: rinse eyes with clean water until no signs of the agent remain, wash skin and hair thoroughly (shower with eyes closed), and avoid actions that re‑aerosolize particles; this basic decontamination often suffices because many symptoms are due to local irritation and resolve after removal of the agent [1][2][7].
4. Eye‑specific measures and caution about retained particles
Eye irritation and lacrimation are the dominant symptoms and management focuses on prolonged eye irrigation; clinicians should check for retained particles or canister fragments because these can cause corneal damage and may require ophthalmic interventions including, after full decontamination, topical corticosteroid ointments in selected cases [1][5].
5. Respiratory support is supportive but may require treatment
For respiratory symptoms, field care emphasizes oxygenation and monitoring; bronchodilators and steroids can be used if bronchospasm or asthma is present, and severe inhalational injury may require oxygen, advanced airway care or hospital admission—patients with underlying lung disease are at higher risk of severe outcomes and should avoid exposure [1][3][8].
6. Burns, dermal injuries and wound care
When chemical burns or blistering occur, standard burn care principles apply: cool with water, remove the chemical, and apply dressings; delayed dermatologic complications including contact dermatitis and blistering have been reported, so early decontamination and follow‑up reduce risk of progression [7][6][3].
7. What not to do and field caveats
Guidance and clinical reviews caution against unnecessary gastrointestinal decontamination (activated charcoal, lavage) because ingestion symptoms typically resolve and such procedures are not indicated; also, improvisations like untested topical agents are discouraged—stick to removal, irrigation, and symptomatic treatment [9][3].
8. Field supplies, preparation and medic stations
Clinics and street‑medic guides endorsed by clinicians recommend having supplies for early treatment: abundant clean water, saline or irrigation bottles, eye drops/anesthetic for eye irrigation in formal settings, gloves and goggles for caregivers, spare clothing, and medical‑alert information for those with chronic conditions [3][2].
9. When to escalate and what hospitals may do
If symptoms persist 30–60 minutes after decontamination, if vision or breathing remains impaired, if there is chest pain, syncope or severe dermal burns, seek emergency care where clinicians can administer oxygen, bronchodilators, systemic steroids, perform thorough ophthalmologic exams, identify retained particles, and treat corrosive injuries—there is no specific antidote for riot control agents [2][1][5].
10. Evidence, uncertainties and ethical context
Medical literature and public‑health advisories agree on supportive decontamination but also emphasize limited high‑quality data on long‑term effects and optimal interventions; organizations such as Physicians for Human Rights highlight both health harms and the need to prepare for protest exposures, while systematic reviews and government guidance stress most exposures are transient but can be serious, especially for vulnerable populations [2][10][6].