When hot peppers are really, really hot

     When it comes to handling hot peppers, I don't take any chances. Ever since feeling like my hands were on fire after making salsa one year, I've always used rubber gloves when cutting into jalapenos or other hot peppers. Some people have no trouble with it, but others, like me, have sensitive skin. Soaking my hands in milk finally brought relief, but other remedies are out there. This came out from the Iowa Department of Public Health earlier this month:  

     The Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center received calls from six separate individuals who were experiencing burning hands after cutting up jalapeno peppers (Capsicum annuum cv. Jalapeno). The capsaicinoids contained in the plant's oils cause both vasodilatation and intense pain. None of the six had washed their hands immediately after handling the peppers and the pain started from one to three hours after the exposure. Some remedies which had been tried at home before calling the poison center included soaking the hands in cold water or milk, placing the hands in the freezer and washing the hands several times.

     The ISPCC recommended soaking the hands in a magnesium hydroxide-aluminum hydroxide antacid (e.g. Maalox or Mylanta). Only one patient did not receive relief from the burning pain by using this remedy. There are many remedies touted on the Internet and include applying various skin lotions, calamine lotion, sunburn gels, first aid burn sprays, toothpaste, baking soda paste, corn starch paste, lidocaine-based gels, facial mud masks, sugar and lemon juice paste, or applying aloe vera directly from an aloe vera plant.

     Further suggestions include soaking or washing the hands in any of the following: salt water, ice water, orange juice, lemon juice, tomato juice, vinegar, milk, ice cream, rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, industrial degreasers, various ethanol-containing products (mouth wash, wine, hard liquor, beer, ethanol-based hand sanitizers), household cleaning agents (e.g. Formula 409, Windex), dishwashing detergent, dishwasher soap, bleach, and baking soda. 

      For callers with dermal pain from exposure to jalapeno peppers, the ISPCC typically recommends washing the hands thoroughly with warm soap and water and then soaking the hands in an antacid. Most patients will get at least some relief using antacid soaks: 40 percent will get resolution of the burning within one hour, 25 percent will get resolution in greater than one hour, and 15 percent will have only partial relief. If the antacid soaks are not effective, the poison center will recommend soaking in vegetable oil. Neither these two treatments, nor the list of remedies found on the Internet, are effective for every individual. Therefore, preventing exposure by wearing gloves while handling jalapenos, and washing your hands thoroughly afterwards is the best option. For treatment advice on this or any other poisoning, overdose or chemical exposure, call the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.