If you love cooking with hot peppers like habaneros, ghost peppers, or Carolina Reapers, you hvs likely experienced the dreaded hand burn at some point.
That intense, lingering burn from the capsaicin in the peppers can make you feel like your hands are on fire. Once that burning sensation sets in, it can seem impossible to get rid of.
But don’t throw in the towel on your favorite spicy recipes just yet! With the right techniques, you can get that fiery hot pepper juice off your hands and get sweet relief.
Hot Pepper Juice Burn
The burning feeling comes from capsaicin, the naturally occurring compound that gives chili peppers their signature heat. Capsaicin binds to pain receptors called TRPV1 receptors in our nerve endings, triggering a burning sensation. When capsaicin comes in contact with sensitive areas like our eyes, nose, and hands, the burning can be quite intense.
This burning sensation is actually part of the plant’s self-defense mechanism to deter mammals from eating the peppers and spreading the seeds before they can germinate. Birds, on the other hand, don’t have the same TRPV1 receptors, so they can happily eat hot peppers and spread the seeds through their droppings. But for us humans working with hot peppers, that self-defense mechanism can come back to bite us in the form of a serious hand burn.
The Best Ways to Ditch the Burn
Now that we know what we’re up against, let’s dive into some tried-and-true methods for getting that capsaicin off your hands and finding sweet relief:
1. Soap and Water
This one is obvious, but it’s the first line of defense against hot pepper hands. As soon as you’re done handling the peppers, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. The soap can help break down and remove some of the capsaicin oil. However, soap and water alone often aren’t enough for really bad pepper burns.
2. Baking Soda and Water Paste
Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can help scrub away the capsaicin oils. Make a paste with baking soda and water and use it to gently scrub your hands. The baking soda helps neutralize the capsaicin, while the gentle abrasion lifts it away. Just be sure not to scrub too hard, as you don’t want to irritate your skin further.
3. Acid Solutions
Acids can help neutralize the alkaline capsaicin molecules. Common household acids like lemon or lime juice, vinegar, and even cola can cut through the burn. Make a solution by mixing equal parts acid (like lemon juice or vinegar) and water. Soak your hands in the solution for 15-20 minutes, gently massaging it into your skin.
4. Dairy Products
You’ve probably heard that drinking milk can help cool a burning mouth after eating spicy foods. Well, the same principle applies to capsaicin burns on the hands. The casein protein in dairy products like milk, yogurt, and sour cream can bind to and remove the capsaicin oils. Soak your hands in a bowl of milk or cover them with yogurt or sour cream for 10–15 minutes.
5. Vegetable or Olive Oil
Oils can help dissolve and remove the capsaicin oils from your skin through dilution. Coat your hands in vegetable, olive, or another cooking oil and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping off with a paper towel. You may need to do this a couple of times to fully remove the burn.
6. Salt and Alcohol Solutions
Making a solution with salt and rubbing alcohol (or vodka or tequila in a pinch) can be an extremely effective way to neutralize and dissolve the capsaicin oils. The alcohol helps dissolve the oils, while the salt acts as an abrasive to lift them away. Mix 1/2 cup salt into 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and soak hands for 10+ minutes, gently rubbing the mixture into your skin.
7. Hand Sanitizer or Rubbing Alcohol
The alcohol in hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol can help dissolve and remove capsaicin oils from the skin. Apply liberally and let sit briefly before wiping off.
8. Petroleum Jelly
This may seem counterintuitive, but coating your hands in a generous layer of petroleum jelly and letting it sit can actually help pull out the capsaicin oils through dilution. After 10–15 minutes, wipe off jelly with a paper towel, repeating as needed until the burn subsides.
9. Dish Soap and Sugar or Salt Scrub
Make an abrasive scrub by mixing dish soap with sugar or salt. The abrasives help lift the oils, while the dish soap breaks them down. Gently scrub your hands and rinse thoroughly.
10. Cold Water or Ice
While not a solution for removing the capsaicin, running your hands under cold water or holding an ice pack on the affected areas can provide temporary relief from the burn. Just be sure not to put ice directly on skin, as that can further irritate or even burn your compromised skin.
If One Method Doesn’t Work, Try Another!
The intensity of capsaicin burns can vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. If one method isn’t cutting it, try out a different approach. You can even try combos, like soaking in an acid solution followed by scrubbing with a salt or sugar scrub. Just avoid anything too abrasive that could damage your skin further.
When All Else Fails, See a Doctor
In very extreme cases, if the burning persists for over 24 hours and none of these techniques provide relief, it may be time to seek medical attention. Doctors can provide prescription creams and other treatments to neutralize the capsaicin and manage the pain. But for most minor to moderate burns, these at-home remedies should do the trick.
Prevention is Key
Of course, the easiest way to avoid hot pepper hand burn is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Wearing food-safe gloves when working with hot peppers is your best bet. You can also rub your hands with olive or vegetable oil before handling the peppers, which can make it harder for the capsaicin oils to bind to your skin.
But accidents happen, and sometimes you’ll find yourself desperately trying to de-burn your hands post-pepper prep. Keep these techniques in your back pocket so you can find relief quickly. With some pantry staples and cold water on hand, you’ll be back to enjoying your favorite spicy recipes pain-free in no time!
