Six Tips to Stop the Itch: How to Avoid Irritation When Peeling Taro Roots

12 September, 2024

Sweet potatoes are popular for their delicious flavor and high nutritional value. This type of potato not only aids digestion and prevents constipation but also provides essential vitamins and minerals to the body. However, as many people worry about itching when peeling sweet potatoes, they often avoid cooking with this type of potato.

## Tips to Avoid Itching When Peeling Sweet Potatoes:

Sweet potatoes contain calcium oxalate in the form of small crystals, which can cause irritation and itching when they come into contact with the skin. To avoid this when peeling sweet potatoes, you can apply the following tips:

1. **Keep your hands dry:** The simplest way is to keep your hands completely dry before peeling the potatoes. When buying sweet potatoes, you should not wash them right away but simply dry your hands before you start peeling.

The simplest way is to keep your hands dry before peeling potatoes.

2. **Wear gloves:** Wearing gloves is the most effective method to prevent itching. Gloves protect your skin from direct contact with oxalate crystals and keep your hands clean. You can use rubber gloves or disposable nylon gloves, whichever you prefer.

3. **Soak the potatoes in salted water:** Soaking sweet potatoes in salted water helps reduce itching by dissolving some of the oxalate crystals on the surface of the potatoes. Dissolve a little salt in water and soak the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes before peeling.

4. **Use vinegar or lemon:** Vinegar and lemon juice have acidic properties that help neutralize oxalate. Dilute vinegar or lemon juice with water and soak the sweet potatoes in this solution for about 10-15 minutes. This method reduces itching and keeps the potatoes white and beautiful after peeling.

5. **Parboil the potatoes before peeling:** Mix 2 teaspoons of salt into 1 liter of water, add the potatoes to the pot, and bring to a boil. When the water starts to boil, pour the potatoes into a colander and rinse them with cold water to cool them down before peeling. The water temperature helps break down the potatoes’ resin, reducing the risk of itching.

6. **Use cooking oil:** Before peeling, you can apply a thin layer of cooking oil on your hands to create a protective barrier. After peeling, wash your hands with soap to remove the oil and oxalate crystals.

## Tips to Deal with Itchy Hands After Peeling Sweet Potatoes:

If your hands itch after peeling sweet potatoes, you can try the following measures to alleviate the discomfort:

1. **Hold your hands over the fire:** The itch-causing substances in sweet potatoes are sensitive to heat. To reduce itching, you can hold your hands over a flame for about a minute, making sure to do so carefully to avoid burns. Gently and quickly wave your hands over the fire to reduce the itching sensation.

2. **Use vinegar or lemon:** To alleviate the itching, mix two tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice with 2 liters of water and soak your hands in this solution for about 3-5 minutes. This will effectively reduce the itching sensation.

## Precautions When Using Sweet Potatoes:

To avoid any unwanted effects from sweet potatoes, keep the following in mind:

– Dispose of damaged or sprouted potatoes: To prevent food poisoning, do not consume potatoes that are damaged or have started to sprout.

– Peel the potatoes just enough: Avoid peeling too much of the skin to prevent the loss of protein found in the potato skin.

– Wear gloves when peeling: For those with sensitive skin, wearing gloves while peeling potatoes can reduce the risk of skin irritation.

– Soak and cook sweet potatoes thoroughly: Soaking and properly cooking sweet potatoes helps reduce the calcium oxalate content, thereby minimizing any side effects.

Frequently asked questions

Taro roots contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause itching and irritation when they come into contact with the skin. The crystals can penetrate the skin and cause a reaction, leading to itching and discomfort.

There are several ways to prevent itching and irritation: wear gloves when handling Taro roots, soak the roots in vinegar or salt water before peeling, peel the roots under running water, use a sharp knife to minimize contact with the skin, and apply a moisturizer or calamine lotion after handling to soothe the skin.

In addition to the above measures, you can also boil the Taro roots before peeling, which can help to reduce the concentration of calcium oxalate crystals. You can also try using a vegetable peeler instead of a knife to minimize direct contact with the roots.

If you experience severe itching, redness, swelling, or any other signs of an allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately. Taro root allergy can be serious and requires prompt treatment.

Prolonged and frequent exposure to Taro roots without proper protection can lead to a condition known as ‘Taro dermatitis’, characterized by dry, itchy, and scaly skin. It is important to always take precautionary measures when handling Taro roots to minimize this risk.

It is generally safe to consume Taro roots, even with sensitive skin. However, it is crucial to thoroughly cook the roots, as proper cooking can reduce the concentration of calcium oxalate crystals, making them less likely to cause irritation.