What should I do if my hands become irritated after cutting chili peppers?
Disease description:
The chili peppers I bought were extremely spicy. While cutting them, the capsaicin transferred to my fingers, causing an intense burning pain that persisted for several days without improvement. What should I do if my hands get burned from handling chilies?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
After cutting chili peppers and experiencing a burning sensation on your hands, you can apply a mild vegetable oil to the affected area. This helps dissolve capsaicin—the compound responsible for the heat—thereby reducing its irritant effect on the skin. Vinegar can also alleviate the burning sensation; its acidic components neutralize the slightly alkaline substances in capsaicin, thereby diminishing its irritating effects. Additionally, milk can help relieve capsaicin-induced irritation, as casein and other components in milk bind with capsaicin, weakening its stimulatory effect.
