Patients may complain of blindness because of the intense tearing and blepharospasm, but patients who physically can open their eyes have no significant change in visual acuity. Rhinorrhea, sneezing, and hypersalivation often occur as agents come in contact with sensitive mucous membranes. Patients also may report cough, chest tightness, and dyspnea, but pulmonary function tests typically are not changed. These agents can exacerbate a chronic pulmonary condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cardiovascular function may demonstrate an increased blood pressure and heart rate, but this effect is believed to be most likely a psychological response to the situations in which tear gases typically are used.
Exercise exacerbates symptoms.
Patients develop tolerance to tear gas symptoms with chronic low-grade exposures. Once the skin comes in contact with a riot control agent, erythema, tingling, and burning occur. These symptoms occur within minutes of exposure and last up to 1 hour after termination of exposure. More severe skin injuries can occur in hot, humid environments with heavily sweating or wet patients or with prolonged or close-range exposures. Serious effects including death have been reported.