advice for getting chili oil off skin?

[fizzgig]

my fiance was working with serrano peppers yesterday and got some on his skin. he's scrubbed his hands a number of times, but there is still some burning.

what should he do?

[Bucky]

1. aloe vera

Plan B: get a chainsaw

[fizzgig]

2. but i like his hands

:P

[MrCoffee]

3. He needs to vigorously rub his eyes...tears will cut right through that

[nomorenomore08]

11. I've rubbed it in my eyes accidentally before.

My reaction was, "Now I know what it's like to get pepper-sprayed!" :scared:

[petronius]

15. Wrong. He has to masturbate first

:o

[hedgehog]

4. Try dipping some bread in whole milk and wiping the areas

It works for nettles.

[hobbit709]

5. "Hunan Hand" is good for you

Serranos? WTF! They're not even in the top 25 on the heat scale.

[Texasgal]

6. Yogurt.

Rub around like lotion.

[grace0418]

7. Wash carefully with something that cuts grease (like Dawn). Then use aloe vera to

soothe the skin.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. Another vote for yogurt, or even plain milk

I learned that from a college classmate who had been a missionary kid in India. I certainly needed that advice after I chopped hot chili peppers with hands that were already chapped from the cold, dry January air.

[AwakeAtLast]

9. Scrubbing is making it worse, I think

Soaking in a milk or cream bath should help.

[quakerboy]

10. Lick it off

[crimsonblue]

12. lick your hands and rub them in your eyes.

that always helps.

[Duer 157099]

13. veggie oil?

rub some of that all over, if nothing else it should dilute the chili oil?

:shrug:

[jgraz]

14. Step 1: stop rubbing your hands

You just work the oil in deeper. You have three methods to get rid of the burn:

1) Solvent: any form of alcohol will remove the pepper oil. Just don't use it on mucus membranes or raw skin, unless you happen to like scream-inducing pain.

2) Dilution: The capsaicin is carried in oil from the peppers. Coating your hand in another oil will reduce the pain and carry away the chemical. Chill the oil first and you'll get an extra degree of pain relief.

3) Mechanical: Any small-grain powder will pick up the pepper oil and carry it away. I've had good results with cornstarch or talcum powder.



Of course, the best method is to not get it on your skin in the first place. Next time, get some food-prep gloves.