# Hot pepper stuff on my hands...it BUUUUUuuuuuurns!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 17, 2007, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311 "2007-03-17T06:18:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/1 "2007-03-17T06:18:32Z")
any tips on how to get this stuff off? the worst part is I was really careful while cutting them up but kinda forgot after I had the marinade all mixed up. crap this stuff is hot. I know its kinda food related but I aint eatin my fingers ---
**Author:** ![Andrew\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/da6949/32.png) [@Andrew\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_Bird)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/2 "2007-03-17T06:27:29Z")
[QUOTE=Critical1] any tips on how to get this stuff off? the worst part is I was really careful while cutting them up but kinda forgot after I had the marinade all mixed up. crap this stuff is hot. I know its kinda food related but I aint eatin my fingers [/QUOTE] Rubbing alcohol. But it doesn’t work that well. I have heard bleach can help, but I don’t know if you are supposed to cut it before use. Personally, I would rather my hands burn than risk putting bleach on them. ---
**Author:** ![Andrew\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/da6949/32.png) [@Andrew\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_Bird)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/3 "2007-03-17T06:29:24Z")
And do not touch your eyes or genitals while your hands still burn. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/4 "2007-03-17T06:29:32Z")
You basically can wash your hands with soap and warm water and that’s it. Just don’t touch any of your pink parts or any babies in the next couple days. The capsaicin lingers. Wear dishwashing gloves next time and learn from the experience. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/5 "2007-03-17T06:41:50Z")
> [@](#): > > [Capsaicin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin#Food) is a nonpolar molecule, and is therefore hydrophobic. Consequently, drinking water to reduce the burning caused by the molecule is ineffective, as the nonpolar capsaicin is unable to dissolve in the polar water molecules, and is instead spread across the surface of the mouth. This works by the same principle that causes oil and water to separate. > > Instead, consuming foods high in fats and oils, such as milk or bread and butter, will help alleviate the burning. The lipophilic capsaicin is able to mix freely with the fats in the food and is removed from the surface of the mouth. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages also dissolve capsaicin due to the solvent characteristics of ethanol. Over time, the capsaicin will also dissipate on its own. So, don’t wash your hands with water, wash them with veg oil, wipe dry with paper towels, repeat! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/6 "2007-03-17T08:01:24Z")
I soaked mine in a bowl of milk, that seemed to help. At least it helps until you take your hands out, then it burns again. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/7 "2007-03-17T15:29:11Z")
As a hot pepper lover and a contact lense wearer, this is a frequent problem. In fact, spicyeye is the most common cause of death in my contact lenses. I have found that vigorous scrubbing with soap and HOT water works sufficiently to touch my eyes. I usually use the Scotchbrite side of a kitchen sponge on my fingertips to really get in there and get that hot out. I do think that I’ve developed some measure of tolerance to cap in the eye. Sometimes, I’ll not have washed sufficiently and it burns later when I take the lenses out. The next morning, when I go to put them back in, it burns again but I _usually_ endure, ride it out and blink it away. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/8 "2007-03-17T20:13:17Z")
It tastes like burning? You could stick your hands in a cooler full of ice. That will basically numb the entire area. Of course, dont keep your hands in TOO long or you’ll suffer the opposite problem. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/9 "2007-03-17T23:58:17Z")
If you have no rubbing alcohol, use whiskey, wine, vodka, whatever. Bleach is also good. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/10 "2007-03-18T00:32:32Z")
sorry I didnt reply sooner, I had a rum and coke and fell asleep with flames shooting out of my fingers. I usually take care with handling them but I made a marrinade and made the mistake of bare handed scooping some of the veggies from one bowl to another. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/11 "2007-03-18T00:50:24Z")
Wash with vodka and rise off in water. Wash again with soap and water. Put on hand cream to replace the oils removed by the vodka. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/12 "2007-03-19T04:50:52Z")
[QUOTE=crowmanyclouds] So, don’t wash your hands with water, wash them with veg oil, wipe dry with paper towels, repeat! CMC fnord! [/QUOTE] Seconded. I’ve peeled several bushells of chile in my day, this is your best bet. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/13 "2007-03-19T06:14:01Z")
Soap works well, especially the dish soap for cleaning greasy pots. I hate spice-eye. Though if you can handle the spice, Capsaicin works great for tooth aches and sore gums. Rub a bit on the area that hurts, and it makes the pain lessen or go away. It doesn’t burn me (though I have a high tolerance), and it doesn’t have that annoying numb feeling. It just doesn’t hurt anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/14 "2007-03-19T06:17:42Z")
This should go without saying, but for the love of god, don’t pursue anything amorous after you’ve handled chiles. Not like I know first, uhrm, hand, or anything, but yanno, consider this a public service announcement. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/15 "2007-03-19T06:28:07Z")
[QUOTE=Queen Bruin] This should go without saying, but for the love of god, don’t pursue anything amorous after you’ve handled chiles. Not like I know first, uhrm, hand, or anything, but yanno, consider this a public service announcement. [/QUOTE] Ha, that reminds me of a time at Buffalo Wild Wings, I got the blazing wings and a guy in our group wanted to try them. Needless to say, shortly after eating them he went to the bathroom and was apparently careless with what he touched. He had to go home and curl up in a corner. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/16 "2007-03-19T13:08:41Z")
When we were growing hot peppers in my 11th grade horticulture class, the teacher told us about a former student, who had been rather notorious in his day, who had forgotten to wash his hands after handling habeneros, and then went to the bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/17 "2007-03-19T14:44:06Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] If you have no rubbing alcohol, use whiskey, wine, vodka, whatever. Bleach is also good. [/QUOTE] NO! NO! NO! Do not drink rubbing alcohol or bleach! The whiskey, wine and vodka are good ideas, though. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/18 "2007-03-19T15:00:57Z")
[QUOTE=Andrew Bird] And do not touch your eyes or genitals while your hands still burn. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Guinastasia] When we were growing hot peppers in my 11th grade horticulture class, the teacher told us about a former student, who had been rather notorious in his day, who had forgotten to wash his hands after handling habeneros, and then went to the bathroom. [/QUOTE] Take heed to these posts. About 15 years ago the police department I work for had officers switch from carrying CN tear gas spray to OC pepper spray. One of the requirements for training was to get sprayed with the pepper spray and then put 2 rounds into a target. After the training and after the burning wore off we were told to go shower the stuff off in the locker room. Problem is, the water from the shower reactivated the pepper!!! And as the water poured down our bodies everyone in the shower area started screaming! :eek: And the instructors knew that was going to happen because they were all laughing when we came out of the locker room! :mad:Bastards!😛 ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/19 "2007-03-19T15:01:04Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] When we were growing hot peppers in my 11th grade horticulture class, the teacher told us about a former student, who had been rather notorious in his day, who had forgotten to wash his hands after handling habeneros, and then went to the bathroom. [/QUOTE] Yep, it’s a problem. Worse yet, don’t touch HER bits. :eek: Or pick your nose, or touch any sensitive bit, anywhere, on anyone. Trust me on this one. -Butler (who’ll probably do it again, as he’s an idiot) ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-pepper-stuff-on-my-hands-it-buuuuuuuuuuurns/396311/20 "2007-03-19T15:20:30Z")
Based on reading that capsaisin is an alkaloid, I followed a slice of fresh habañero pepper with a can of Coca-Cola, which I knew was acidic. That relieved the pain, the flushed face, and the tears running down my face. Based on the same idea, you could soak your hands in vinegar or pureed fresh strawberries. The things I don’t know about chemistry could fill libraries. In fact, they do.😛