To know how to help yourself or the people around you in a situation where hot pepper takes your breath away, unbearably “eats” your eyes, or burns your face and hands, you need to understand what causes this. And this happens because, in addition to essential oils, nutrients and vitamins, pepper contains a substance called Capsaicin, an alkaloid that gives pepper its hotness. When it gets on the mucous membrane of the mouth, eyes, or skin, it irritates the TRVR1 vanilloid receptors and causes a burning sensation, which is sometimes difficult to get rid of, and here’s why.
This substance has a melting point of 65 °C, is practically insoluble in water, but easily dissolves in alcohol, acetone, chloroform, caustic alkalis, and benzene. Therefore, no matter how much you rinse your mouth with water or wash your eyes, the amount of capsaicin will not decrease. Yes, it will be diluted, slowly washed away from the surface, but it will not become less. It’s like putting out burning gasoline with water; streams of fire will only spread in all directions, increasing the area of the fire. So, what to do and how to protect yourself from this substance?
Symptoms of pepper getting into your eyes
It is worth noting! When an adult or child gets red or black pepper in their eyes, the problem is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- severe burning sensation;
- blurred vision;
- redness of the whites and area around the eyes;
- feeling of a veil in the eyes;
- increased tearfulness;
- unbearable pain;
- inflammation;
- itching;
- swelling.
In this case, ingestion of hot red pepper is accompanied by severe pain and burning sensation .
How to remove burning sensation on the skin
If you handle hot pepper carelessly and get it or its juice on the skin, a burn will form. To alleviate the condition of the skin, it is necessary to use traditional methods of getting rid of burning sensation.
- Dairy products effectively eliminate pain caused by contact with hot peppers. This is explained by the fact that the substance casein, which is found in dairy products, reacts with capsaicin and neutralizes it. If your hand has been burned, then you need to lower it into a container of milk, where it is better to first add ice cubes. Or generously wipe other areas of the body with a cotton swab.
- An equally effective method would be to use regular petroleum jelly and vegetable oil, since the hot components of pepper dissolve under the influence of other oils.
- Baking soda must be diluted with water to a thick paste, and the mixture should be applied to the affected areas of the body. After drying, wash off the mask under running water.
- Alcohol will get rid of the “fire” on the skin; it acts on capsaicin as a solvent. Periodically wipe your face, hands and skin with a moistened cotton swab until discomfort is eliminated.
First aid at home
In folk medicine, there are several effective eye washes.
For an adult
The following options will help an adult:
- Tea brewing. You need to brew some black tea. Rinse the damaged organ with the prepared, slightly cooled solution. For greater effectiveness, you can apply moistened cotton pads to each eye for 3-5 minutes.
- Calendula . You should prepare a weak decoction of calendula. Rinse each eyelid in the same way as with tea leaves.
- Sterile water. You need to lower your face into warm purified water and blink a little.
- Potato. It is necessary to cut two round slices of raw potatoes and apply them to the sore eyes. This method relieves swelling.
- Goat milk. If you wash the damaged area with goat's milk, the signs of pepper will disappear fairly quickly.
Keep in mind! If pepper gets into your eyes, you should never rub them or touch them with your hands in any way.
To kid
The delicate body of a child requires delicate handling when such a problem arises.
To do this, you need to carefully rinse your baby’s eyes with one of the following solutions :
- brewing tea;
- infusion of chamomile or calendula;
- boiled water;
- sodium chloride 0.9 percent;
- Furacilin solution.
After washing the eyes, you need to give your baby eye drops with an anti-inflammatory effect.
After independently providing first aid to a child, even if everything is in order, the baby must be shown to a specialist.
This will help avoid serious consequences.
Why is it so hot?!
All varieties of hot peppers contain a special substance - capsaicin, which imparts a fiery taste. When it comes into contact with the skin, it provokes an immediate reaction: burning, redness or burning.
The degree of heat of pepper is determined by the amount of capsaicin
However, not all varieties contain the same amount of capsaicin, which is why they all burn differently. Thus, peppers from Southeast Asia and South America are considered the most aggressive. These include red bitter and chili. But European varieties, in particular Italian pepperoni, are considered to be the most loyal.
Consequences of pepper getting into your eyes
Black or chili pepper can cause serious, irreversible problems with the visual system if first aid and medical care are not provided in a timely manner.
An eye burn leads to the following dangerous consequences:
- Temporary blindness.
- Eye diseases of an inflammatory, viral, infectious, bacterial nature.
- Development of glaucoma, cataracts, and other diseases of the visual organ.
- Deterioration of vision.
Therefore, after pepper gets on the mucous membranes of the eyes, it is better to see a specialist .
Moreover, this applies to both adults and children.
How to Soothe a Chili Burn
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Some varieties of hot peppers, such as jalapenos, cayenne peppers and habaneros, contain high levels of capsaicin, the main ingredient in pepper spray for self-defense. Capsaicin can add flavor and heat to a dish, but it can also cause an extremely intense burning sensation that can last for minutes or even hours. Capsaicin is a naturally occurring oily substance found in all varieties of hot peppers, which we commonly call simply “chili peppers.” A burning sensation in the mouth or skin can be neutralized with various liquids, such as milk or sweetened water.
Relieving burning sensation in the mouth from hot peppers
- 1
Drink some cold milk. Instead of water, try drinking milk! The fat and oil found in dairy products will help reduce the burning sensation by dissolving the capsaicin.[1]
- Drink a glass of whole milk. Be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly first.[2] Alternatively, you can choose another dairy product such as full-fat sour cream or yogurt.
Milk acts on almost the same principle as regular soap - it liquefies capsaicin and reduces the burning sensation in the mouth. Milk contains a protein called casein, which can dissolve capsaicin. The burning sensation itself comes from capsaicinoids, which are a family of molecules found in peppers.[3] [4]
- Ice cream can also help. To achieve the goal, anything that contains a dairy product will be useful. Coconut milk is great for reducing the heat and reducing the heat of spicy spices.[5]
- 2
Do not try to get rid of the hot taste of peppers by drinking water. Believe it or not, the burning sensation will not go away if you only drink water. In fact, water will only spread capsaicin throughout the mouth and increase the burning sensation.
- Soda is mostly water, so it won't help you either. Coffee will make the situation worse because it is hot. Capsaicin is an oily mixture, which makes it capable of rejecting water.[6]
It is likely that the burning sensation on the oral mucosa and on the skin of the hands will not last the same amount of time. This is due to the interaction of capsaicin with pain receptors in the mouth as a result of a chemical reaction.
- Nerve endings begin to sound the alarm when the temperature in the mouth rises above 82 degrees, which is what actually happens under the influence of capsaicin.
- 3
Sip some alcohol-containing drink. Beer won't help since it's mostly water, but stronger spirits can relieve the burning sensation in your mouth.
- Take a few sips of vodka. Vodka will not only reduce the burning sensation, but will also perk you up, as long as you don't drink too much!
Alcohol will “put out the fire” of hot peppers in your mouth. Various types of alcohol are suitable for these purposes.
- Drink wisely. Don't drink too much, especially if you're underage, and generally avoid this method if you're driving.
- 4
Use oils to reduce the burning sensation. Apply olive or vegetable oil to your tongue to reduce the burning sensation.
- These oils, along with peanut oil, contain a lot of fat, so they are good folk remedies for burning sensations.
The fat contained in these oils helps relieve the heat from hot peppers and relieves the burning symptoms.
- This may seem strange, but you should fight hot peppers with oils rather than water, as they are much more effective at combating this problem.
- 5
Eat starch. Eat starch if hot peppers make your mouth burn. Starch will reduce the intensity of the burning sensation.
- Although starchy foods such as rice or bread will not be as effective at dissolving capsaicin as fats, oils or alcohol, they may help reduce the burning sensation slightly.
There are reasons why many hot pepper cultures are served with white rice or potatoes. This is most often done in Asian and Indian cultures.
- Eating a spoonful of sugar will also help relieve burning symptoms. Mix a tablespoon of sugar with 260 ml. water and rinse your mouth with this mixture. Alternatively, place a spoonful of honey on your tongue.
- 6
Try folk remedies. Many people find that certain vegetables and other foods are excellent remedies for a burning mouth.
- Eat cucumbers. In Thailand and Indonesia, people cope with the burning sensation in this way. Consume bananas, as they contain sugar, which will help neutralize the effects of the pepper.
Eat chocolate. The high fat content in most bars helps the capsaicin molecules dissolve in the mouth. Milk chocolate contains more fat and casein than dark chocolate, so it will help you cope with the situation much faster.
- Apply a soft corn tortilla to the affected area (lips, mouth). Just take a bite and it will help reduce the burning sensation.
- White toothpaste will greatly relieve the burning sensation from the habanero. It will help relieve the burning sensation in the mouth from hot peppers. Eat a slice of lemon, drink juice, or both (lemon and juice); the acid will dissolve the oily substance.
Relieving the burning sensation of hot peppers on the skin
- 1
Wash your hands and other areas of your skin with liquid soap. You can use solid soap, but liquid soap will dissolve the hot pepper oils more effectively. Many people experience a burning sensation on their skin if it comes into contact with hot pepper oil.
- You can also periodically dip your fingers in a mixture of water and bleach (in a ratio of 5 to 1) while cutting hot peppers.
Bleach converts capsaicin into a water-soluble salt. In the future, you can simply wash your hands with water.
- Be careful not to let the bleach get on the pepper. Wash your hands with soap after chopping the peppers.
- 2
Use alcohol to reduce the burning sensation on your hands or other areas of the body. Hot pepper oil and capsaicin, which cause burning, dissolve in alcohol.
- Clean your hands with alcohol. Even if you use other methods to relieve the burning sensation, you can also pre-wipe your hands with alcohol to disinfect them.[7]
Stop by a bar and grab a strong alcoholic drink, such as vodka. Rub it on your hands or other parts of your body to relieve the burning sensation.
- You can also make a paste from baking soda and water. Apply it to your hands and let it dry, then rinse with water.
- 3
Place your hands in a bowl of milk. Take very cold milk. Try adding ice cubes to a bowl. Regular ice water will also help relieve the burning sensation, but it will not be as effective as milk.
- Some people claim that the burning sensation from hot peppers can be quite painful and can last for several hours, so it's understandable that you'd want to take action immediately.
Try adding flour to a bowl of milk to make a glove-like mask. Leave the mask on for a few minutes, then rinse your hands under running water.
- Clean your hands with rubbing alcohol before dipping them into cold milk. The colder the milk, the better.[8]
- 4
Apply the oil to your hands and other affected areas. The hot pepper oils will be dissolved by the other oils, which will help reduce the burning sensation.[9] You can also apply Vaseline on your hands.
- Apply a small amount of any vegetable or olive oil to your hands before chopping hot peppers or after you feel the burning sensation.[10]
Do not use too much oil as this can make your hands slippery and make it very uncomfortable to hold the knife. Avoid touching other people, especially children, as this may transfer the hot pepper oils to their skin.
- Lightly oil your hands to prevent burning. The oil will also help reduce the burning sensation after you touch the hot pepper. Dip your hands in vegetable or olive oil.[11]
- 5
Relieve the burning sensation in your eyes from hot peppers. Sometimes people make the huge mistake of rubbing their eyes while cutting hot peppers. This can cause an unbearable burning sensation.
- First of all, it is better to avoid this. However, if this does happen, milk lotions will help you.[12]
Take a cotton pad or paper towel and soak it in milk. Then apply a compress to your eyes.
- You may need to repeat the procedure several times to feel relief, as you will still experience a burning sensation for a while. Contact your doctor if the burning persists or affects your vision in any way.
- If the burning sensation does not go away, you can make a bandage of cotton pads soaked in milk and wear it for several hours. Use clamps and gauze for this.
Preventing the burning sensation of hot peppers
- 1
Wear gloves. You can get what's called "hot pepper burn" if you don't wear gloves when cooking with this ingredient.
- Your hands will begin to burn and burn unbearably, but under no circumstances should you allow contact with your eyes. It is best to wear vinyl or latex gloves.
Burning can occur from Thai chili peppers, serranos and habaneros.[13]
- The burning sensation comes from the hot pepper oil and capsaicin contained in this product. It's even worse if you accidentally touch your eyes while wearing contact lenses. In this case, you will experience an unbearably strong burning sensation, which will cause you a lot of discomfort.
- 2
Use sandwich bags as gloves. Don't have any gloves on hand? It is better to make gloves from what you have in the kitchen than to have no gloves at all.
- Cover your hands with plastic sandwich bags before chopping hot peppers. They can be secured to your wrists using elastic bands.
If you don't have gloves and plastic bags, wrap your hands in paper towels; Anything will do as long as you can avoid direct contact with the hot pepper oils.
- To protect your eyes, wear safety glasses, and always wash your hands and nails thoroughly after handling hot peppers.
- 3
Eat pepper. A burning mouth is no fun, but there is evidence that hot peppers have health benefits.[14]
- When your energy is low, eat hot peppers instead of something sweet!
Even when the burning sensation in the mouth becomes less intense, the metabolic rate in your body will remain at a fairly high level for some time thanks to the capsaicin contained in pepper; in the future, liver enzymes will completely break it down.
- Capsaicin provides energy and speeds up the body's metabolism, helping you lose weight and stay healthy.[15]
Treatment after first aid at home
Note! An eye burn requires mandatory therapeutic or surgical treatment.
It all depends on the severity of the damage. In inpatient settings, drug treatment includes the use of the following drugs:
- Painkillers. In this case, analgesics taken orally are often used.
- Eye wash drops . Medicines containing lidocaine are used and washed with Albucid drops.
- Steroid drugs . They help stop the inflammatory process. Used from the first days after injury. Treatment with steroids should not exceed 7-10 days.
- Moisturizing drops and gels. After an injury, the victim's tear production decreases. Drops and gels help restore normal tear production.
- Ascorbic acid. It has a beneficial effect on collagen fibers and accelerates the process of regeneration of the cornea of the eye. You need to take ascorbic acid 3-4 times a day.
- Antibacterial drugs. Designed to prevent infection, topical antibiotics are used.
- blockers . Helps reduce eye pressure, thereby making the patient feel better.
Stay up to date! If drug therapy does not produce a positive result, surgical intervention is necessary.
It is carried out using one of the following methods:
- removal of the damaged part of the conjunctiva;
- transplantation of part of the conjunctiva or affected mucous membrane;
- correction of a deformed eyelid;
- keratoprosthesis;
- keratoplasty.
If for some reason the victim is unable to immediately seek medical help, eye drops based on diclofenac will help to urgently alleviate the condition.
Signs of pepper burn
Symptoms appear on the area of skin that came into contact with pepper. And includes typical signs of a burn: the skin itches, turns red, and a burning sensation is felt.
However, a burn can affect different layers of the dermis, in which case the signs will differ depending on the severity of the injury:
- mild degree - mild symptoms, which consist of mild discomfort;
- medium degree - redness of the skin, itching and peeling, and then a rash resembling hives;
- severe degree - the appearance of blisters, ulcers, and sometimes bleeding from the burned area.
Note! Pepper is dangerous not only in fresh form, but also in dry seasoning and in pepper plaster, since in any form it retains capsaicin.
Adviсe
- Adding sugary ingredients to your hot pepper dish (such as grated carrots, fried onions, etc.) will help reduce the heat, but the dish will still be spicy, although you won't feel it right away.
- Over time, the burning sensation should go away on its own.
- You can eat a couple of pieces of bread.
- Tomato juice or ketchup are also good options.
- Eat a saltine cracker before you drink sugar water. Salt tends to absorb water and oil, helping to reduce the burning sensation.
