Health

This Is What To Do If You Get Sprayed By A Skunk

Did you know that some people can’t smell skunk odor at all? However, most people who get sprayed have to deal with the terrible smell. If you want some tips on getting rid of the skunk smell, we can help.

In this guide, we’ll go over what to do if you get sprayed by a skunk.

Want to learn more? Keep reading.

1. Treat Scratches or Wounds First

Before you try and get rid of the odor, you’ll need a first aid kit. Skunk spray isn’t deadly or poisonous, but it could cause you to cough or become temporarily blind.

If you got hit in the face with the spray, make sure you flush out your mouth and eyes with cold water. You can clear the spray out this way, but also treat any irritation or burning in your eyes.

If you swallowed the spray by accident, you may vomit or feel nauseous. Bites or scratches will need to get treated.

Rinse off any of the scratches or bites with cold water. Then, you’ll want to put antibacterial cream on the area to reduce potential infections.

If you get bit or scratched, make sure you see your doctor as soon as possible. Skunks have rabies, so you’ll need to take specific measures.

2. Don’t Contaminate Your Home

You can prevent your home from getting contaminated by staying outside.

Rinse your skin and clothing off with water from your garden hose. Ask your friend to bring a large bowl of water if you don’t have a hose.

If you have to go indoors, take most of your clothes off first. Leave them outdoors. Head to the bathroom fast and don’t touch anyone or anything.

3. Use a Skunk-Odor Remover

People hear all the time about how you should take a bath in tomato juice to rid yourself of the skunk smells. Tomato juice can wash off the spray, but it doesn’t neutralize the odor.

To get rid of the odor, you’ll need a commercial skunk-odor remover.

The remover will make use of liquid enzymes. The enzymes will break down the chemical components of the odor.

Read the directions of the remover. Some skunk-odor removers aren’t safe to use on pets and humans. The odor remover might be for carpeting or furniture.

If you don’t have a commercial remover, you could try a home remedy. A typical treatment includes a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and laundry soap.

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide will neutralize the odor. The soap will remove the oily residue from the skunk’s spray.

Use a washcloth to scrub this home remedy onto your skin. Wait a little bit before rinsing it off with cold water.

After you rinse with the remedy, take a shower or bath with your regular soap or shampoo. Wash away the rest of the spray and solution.

If you don’t have a skunk spray remover, consider picking some up.

Now You Know What to Do if You Get Sprayed by a Skunk

We hope this guide on getting rid of the skunk smell was helpful. Now that you know what to do if you get sprayed by a skunk pick up a remover.

Rinse your eyes and face with water outside. Remove most of your clothes, and head straight to the shower to rinse off with your skunk-odor remover.

Did you find this guide helpful? Read our resources on fitness, health, and more.

Alfred Allen

Alfred Allen, Editor In Chief/Founder of Suntrics, with a master degree in Journalism from Parkland College and a decade of diverse writing experience, is a veteran storyteller. Alfred was a former journalist which made him have a passion for exploring new things, hoisting his content to resonate with audiences across the world.

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