Chili is a colloquial term referring to the fruit of five species of plants from the Capsicum genus in the Solanaceae family, as well as several other taxa. The word commonly denotes the fruit of these plants, which are used as a condiment or vegetable. Capsaicin imparts flavor to food but also makes it spicy, causing a burning sensation for those less accustomed to it or when consumed in high quantities. This burning sensation varies from person to person and can last from a few seconds to a few hours.
Here are some methods to alleviate chili burn on the skin, based on personal experiences:
- Use Dish Soap: Apply dish soap to your skin or hands. Dish soap is effective in dissolving the oils present in chilies. While many people experience a painful burning sensation when handling chilies, washing your hands with dish soap can help alleviate it.
- Use Alcohol: Use alcohol to relieve the burning sensation. Alcohol is effective in dissolving the chili oil and capsaicin.
- Rub denatured alcohol on your hands.
- Strong alcohols like vodka can be used to rinse the affected area to wash away irritants.
- You can also create a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the affected area, let it dry, and then rinse.
- Milk Bath: Immerse your hands in a container filled with cold milk. Cold milk with added ice cubes can help alleviate the burn. You can also create a paste by adding flour to the milk and applying it to the affected area.
- Apply Oil: Apply oil to the affected area to dissolve the chili oils. Vegetable oil, olive oil, or petroleum jelly can be used for this purpose.
- Rub a small amount of oil on your hands before handling chilies or after experiencing the burn.
- Be cautious not to apply too much oil to avoid slippery hands.
- Cool Eyes: If chili residue accidentally gets in your eyes, follow these steps:
- Avoid rubbing your eyes.
- Rinse your eyes with milk or use a cotton pad soaked in milk as a compress.
- If the sensation persists or affects your vision, seek medical attention.
It’s important to note that these methods are based on personal experiences and anecdotal evidence. If the burning sensation persists or worsens, it’s advisable to seek professional medical advice.