Capsaicin sprays

In children, capsaicin spray was demonstrated to cause a severe bronchospasm and pulmonary edema (Winograd, 1977 Bdlmire et al, 1996). In the Billmire study, a 4-week-old infant was exposed to 5% pepper spray after discharge from a self-defense device. The infant suffered respiratory failure and hypoxemia, requiring immediate extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Inhaled capsaicin causes an immediate increase in airway resistance (Fuller, 1991). This dose-dependent bronchoconstriction after capsaicin inhalation in humans is the same as that demonstrated in asthmatics and smokers (Fuller et al, 1985). The capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction and release of substance P is due to stimulation of nonmyelinated afferent C-fibers. 

Miscellaneous Capsaicin sprays These products contain capsaicin, the main ingredient in chili peppers. Exposure causes intense mucous membrane irritation and burning sensation,Treat with topical liquid antacids. 

In children, capsaicin spray was demonstrated to cause severe bronchospasm and pulmonary edema... 

Lachrymator A lachrymator is an irritant that causes tearing (watering of the eyes). Examples include onions, tear gas, and pepper spray (capsaicin). Some typical lachrymating chemicals are thionyl chloride (SOClj) and acrolein (CHj=CH-CHO). Certain chemicals may say lachrymator on the label so treat these with respect. Use these only in a fume hood. Goggles or safety glasses are not adequate protection for lachrymators, because the fumes can still reach your eyes directly or through inhalation. 

Vanillin is the starting point for several chemicals. Thus capsaicin, the pungent principle of red pepper (Capsicum annuum), used in pepper-spray and pain killing ointments, is made in two steps from vanillin. 

It is interesting to note that most of our modern uses of chili peppers are preceded by ancient Mesoamericans. Capsaicin, the active chemical constituent, is used today as an irritant in self-defense sprays, and dried chilis were burned by the Inca to blind the invading Spaniards. Just as we apply capsaicin for analgesia, native Americans used to rub chili on the gums to relieve the pain of a toothache. Eunuchs serving Chinese Emperors were castrated after hot pepper extracts were chronically applied to their scrotums. 

If we can discourage sea creatures with capsaicin, why can t we use it to keep insects at bay Fruits and vegetables are extremely prone to insect infestation, so pesticides that are nontoxic to humans would be most welcome. Enter Hot Pepper Wax. If we spray infested crops with this wax, then seventy percent of the insects on them die due to overstimulation of the nervous system. The capsaicin causes them to defecate endlessly until they die. Lovely. In humans such overstimulation can have a very different effect it can actually kill pain, such as the excruciating variety associated with shingles. 

Pepper spray is not, as is often thought, CS, but is based on a substance capsaicin that is found in chilli peppers. 

Capsaicin is the active agent in the pepper sprays which are used by some police forces to disable and arrest aggressive individuals. Sprayed at the eyes they produce an intolerable sensation of burning although no permanent harm, the effect wearing... 

Capsaicin (cap-say -i-sin). Also called capsicum, capsaicin is the main ingredient found in many hot peppers (Figure 6.2) and spices such as paprika and cayenne pepper. Capsaicin is also the active ingredient in self-defense products such as pepper spray. Capsaicin directly activates nociceptors located on nerve fibers, and thus it would seem to be counterproductive (if not crazy) to apply such a substance on a wound to relieve pain. However, it turns out that capsaicin creams, gels, and lotions are indeed effective pain relievers and counterirritants when applied topically to the skin. 

Capsaicin is also the active ingredient in the chemical riot control agent, pepper spray. When the spray comes in contact with skin, especially eyes or mucous membranes, it is very painful. In large quantities, capsaicin can be a lethal poison. Symptoms of overdose include difficulty in breathing, blue skin and convulsions and uncontrollable, painful nipple erections. Even though the... 

Capsaicin causes transient bronchoconstriction and induces coughing, especially in individual with severe asthma, potentially triggering fatal crises [37]. These adverse respiratory effects are probably due to the limited capacity of respiratory tissues to metabolize capsaicin (see Section 4.3) [38], and are a major problem with the use of pepper sprays as antiriot agents [37]. Smokers are less sensitive to the respiratory effects of capsaicin, but asthmatic patients should avoid chilies and hot cuisine, as should people using drugs such as ACE-inhibitors, which have an intrinsic capacity to induce cough. 

CN is a crystalline solid with a strong, pungent odor (see Figure 12.3). It is dispersed as a smoke, powder, or liquid formulation from grenades or other devices. It is perhaps better known under the trade name Chemical Mace and was once used widely for self-protection. It was also the standard tear gas used by the military (Figure 12.4) and police personnel. It has been replaced in favor of the less toxic CS for riot control and capsaicin pepper spray for self-defense. 

Capsaicin causes conjunctivitis, periorbital edema/ erythema, ophthalmodynia, blepharospasm, blepharitis, corneal abrasions, and lacrimation. In a retrospective study of 81 patients who presented to the emergency department following aerosol exposure from law enforcement use of OC, 56% of individuals developed ophthalmodynia, 44% conjunctivitis, 40% conjunctival erythema, 13% lacrimation, and 9% comeal abrasions (Watson et al, 1996). Another study involved exposure of 47 human volunteers to OC for evaluating effects on the cornea and conjunctivae (Zolhnan et al, 2000). All subjects reported significant eye pain, blurred vision, and lacrimation 10 min after exposure to OC pepper spray, but symptoms improved by 1 h later. Comeal abrasions were not apparent, but 21% of subjects showed evidence of punctate epithelial erosions and reduced comeal sensitivity. Comeal abnormalities were absent 1 week after exposure. Another human study identified 23% of subjects (7 of 30) with comeal abrasions following aerosol exposure to OC spray (Watson et al, 1996). In mice, a single subcutaneous injection of 12.5, 25,... 

Exposure to other RCAs causes similar dermal effects. CN is a more potent irritant than CS. In a human study involving dermal application, CN (0.5 mg) powder caused irritation and erythema when on the skin for 60 min (Holland and White, 1972). It took 20 mg CS to cause similar effects for the same duration of exposure. Exposure to 5% capsaicin pepper spray causes immediate and severe erythema and edema in the skin (Herman et al, 1998). Similarly, pepper ball pellets fired at individuals will cause erythema, pain, and edema at the site of impaet. The initial point of contact may become infected, scar, or heal with hyperpigmentation (Hay et al, 2006). 

Capsaicin, one member of a group of compounds called vanilloids, is responsible for the characteristic spiciness of hot peppers. It is the active ingredient in pepper sprays used for personal defense. The properties of capsaicin are discussed in Chapter 1. 

Capsaicin is the compound responsible for the characteristic spicy flavor of jalapeho and habahero peppers. Although it first produces a burning sensation on contact with the mouth or skin, repeated application desensitizes the area to pain. This property has made it the active ingredient in several topical creams for treatment of chronic pain. Capsaicin has also been used as an animal deterrent in pepper sprays, and as an additive to make birdseed squirrel-proof In Chapter 1, we discuss the structure, bonding, and properties of organic molecules like capsaicin. 

Capsaicin as the oleoresin is used as a "pepper spray" for self-defen.se. Spraying into the eyes causes immediate blepharospasm, blindness, and incapacitation for up to 30 minutes. 

CS and CN are by far the most important irritants described above. CN was the primary pulmonary irritant after World War I until CS was developed in 1928. CS has replaced CN as the principal military and law enforcement RCA, while CN as Mace is available over the counter for personal protection in some places. Capsaicin as pepper spray has somewhat replaced CN as a personal protective agent. Other chemicals in this class that are worthy of mention are chloropicrin (PS) and bromobenzenecy-anide (CA). PS and CA were developed before World War I, but have largely have been replaced because... 

Pelargonic acid vanUlylamide, also known as nonivamide, is a synthetic equivalent of capsaicin (synthetic capsaicin). It is avaUable in a commercial spray product known as Cap-Tor, which is being increasingly used by UK pohce authorities and in European countries to replace CS irritant liquid sprays (BBC, 2001,2002,2004b). It is advised that the device should be aimed at the face, particularly the eyes. Most spray devices contain 0.3% PAVA in 50% ethanol with nitrogen as the propellant. The... 

The major riot control agents, or aids to arrest , in current use are 2-chlorobenzylidene mal-ononitrile (CS), 1-chloroacetophenone (CN) and capsaicin, N -(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzy l)-8-methyl-6-nonenamide (or pepper spray) the potent and persistent irritant dibenz[b,f]l 4-oxazepine (CR) has rarely been used (Olajos... 

Capsaicin is the major pungent component of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), commonly known as pepper spray. OC is extracted from dried ripe chilli peppers and is a variable mixture of many compounds. Related irritants (capsaici-noids) present in the mixture include dihydrocap-saicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin, ho-modihydrocapsaicin and nonivamide. The latter is used as a synthetic substitute for pepper spray. 

Source and Composition. OC is an oily reddish-brown extract of pepper plants of the genus Capsicum, principally from Capsicum an-nuum and Capsicum frutescens. Depending on the variety of the chilli pepper, OC contains from 0.01 to 1.0% capsaicinoids on a dry mass basis. The extract is a complex mixture of fat-soluble phenols (capsaicinoids), some of which are listed in Table 4. The composition of OC is highly variable and depends on factors such as the conditions of extraction, maturity of the fruit and environmental conditions in which the Capsicum plants were grown. Thus, the capsaicinoid content of extracts used in pepper spray varies between manufacturers (1.2-12.6% Smith and Stopford, 1999). Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin make up to 80-90% of the total capsaicinoids in OC extract. 

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