Health & Life

7 Soothing Remedies for Burning Hands from Chili Peppers

It's no secret that chili peppers pack a punch when it comes to spice. The burning sensation and discomfort you experience when your hands come into contact with these fiery peppers is no coincidence. This intense reaction is caused by capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, which immediately triggers a feeling of irritation when it comes into contact with your skin.

Administrator

4 July, 2024

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If you accidentally get chili on your hands, you may experience a burning sensation and discomfort in the affected area. This is due to the presence of capsaicin in chili peppers, which can cause an immediate irritating feeling when it comes into contact with your skin.

Here are some commonly used methods to soothe the burning sensation caused by chili peppers:

## Methods to Soothe the Burning Sensation:

**Use alcohol or beer:** Wash your hands and then apply alcohol or beer to the affected areas multiple times. The symptoms should subside as capsaicin dissolves quickly in the alcohol present in these beverages.

*Note: Avoid getting alcohol in your eyes as it can cause irritation.*

**Use vinegar:** Vinegar has acidic properties, while chili is alkaline. Therefore, when you feel a burning sensation after handling chilies, pour vinegar over your hands and rub it in several times. Vinegar can help neutralize the pH, reducing the irritation.

**Use toothpaste:** If your hands feel burnt from chili exposure, try applying toothpaste to the affected areas and leaving it on for a few minutes. The menthol in toothpaste provides a cooling effect and helps alleviate the burning sensation and pain.

You can rinse your hands with clean water and reapply toothpaste if the burning sensation persists.

**Use tea:** Rinse your hands with tea and then rub the tea leaves on the affected areas. The discomfort should improve after repeating this process for a few minutes.

**Wash your hands with warm water:** Using warm water to wash your hands can help reduce the uncomfortable feeling caused by chili exposure. However, be cautious of the water temperature to avoid scalding your skin.

*Avoid using cold water as capsaicin does not dissolve in it.*

**Use dry flour:** After cutting chilies, if your hands come into contact with the chili residue, rub your hands with dry flour for a few minutes, and then rinse with clean water. This should help alleviate the burning sensation and discomfort.

**Wear gloves when handling chilies:** To prevent chili burn on your hands, it is advisable to wear gloves or apply cooking oil to your hands before handling chilies. If you accidentally get chili in your eyes, blink continuously in a bowl of clean water, or use fresh tea leaves to reduce the irritation and discomfort.

Frequently asked questions

There are several effective remedies to soothe burning hands caused by handling chili peppers. Firstly, wash your hands with soap and cool water as soon as possible after handling the peppers. This will help remove the capsaicin, the compound that makes chilies spicy and causes the burning sensation. You can also use milk or yogurt to neutralize the capsaicin. Simply soak your hands in a bowl of milk or apply yogurt to the affected areas and rinse after a few minutes. Another effective remedy is to use a mild acid like lemon or lime juice, or vinegar. Apply it to your hands and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Alcohol can also be used to alleviate the burning sensation. Rubbing alcohol or vodka can help neutralize the capsaicin and provide relief.

Milk contains a protein called casein, which has a chemical structure that can effectively counteract and neutralize capsaicin. When you soak your hands in milk or apply yogurt, the casein binds to the capsaicin molecules, rendering them inactive and providing relief from the burning sensation.

Chili peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which is concentrated in the placental tissue (the white pith) to which the seeds are attached. When you handle chili peppers, capsaicin comes into contact with your skin and activates certain receptors that interpret the sensation as heat or burning. This is the same sensation you feel when you eat spicy food containing chilies.

Yes, there are a few additional tips that can help prevent and reduce the burning sensation. Firstly, wear gloves when handling chili peppers to avoid direct contact with capsaicin. You can also rub a small amount of vegetable oil on your hands before handling the peppers, creating a protective barrier. Additionally, be cautious when handling the seeds and white pith, as they contain the highest concentration of capsaicin. Finally, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or any sensitive body parts after handling chilies, as capsaicin can cause severe irritation in these areas.