[Cutaneous accidents caused by self-defense sprays].

The free sale of "self-defence sprays" and the use of such weapons by the police and riot squads account for the increase observed in the frequency of cutaneous accidents. Tear gases. 1. CN, or chloracetophenone, is a compound insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol, ether and carbon sulphide. MACE is CN dissolved in methylchloroform. 2. CS, or orthochlorobenzylidene malononitrile is also insoluble in water and can be used in sprays in concentrations of 2 to 8 p. 100, propelled by such gases as freons. Clinical effects. 1. Experimental. When these gases are suspended in air they mostly act on the eyes, producing blepharospasm, conjunctivitis and photophobia; they have only minor effects on the skin. When applied directly onto the skin they produce extreme irritation with erythema and vesicles. The higher the degree of humidity, the more severe the lesions. In animals and in man CN and CS behave as potential allergens on repeated exposures. 2. Accidental. Tear gases may have two effects: they usually produce irritant dermatitis, but also sometimes a genuine eczema. In aggressors exposed to these sprays the lesions develop in two stages: first, redness and burning sensation on the face--which characteristically is only affected on one side owing to the lateral projection of the tear gas--then, on the following day there appears an oedema similar to Quincke's oedema, with swelling of the eyelids. Oozing rapidly turns to crusts, and in the absence of treatment infection is the rule. Cure requires as many as 10 to 15 days of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)