Home : Jalapeno Peppers - More about Jalapeno Pepper Burns

Jalapeno Peppers - More about Jalapeno Pepper Burns

Submitted by Andrea Edmonds

I was making peach salsa last night which required me to dice 4 jalapeno peppers. I didn't have gloves, but it didn't worry me too much as I've never had a bad reaction and hardly ever wear gloves. NEVER AGAIN!!! I diced the peppers around 4:30...by 5:30, my fingers were burning so much I could barely finish canning the salsa. I tried cold water, lemon, ice cubes, cold packs, washing and rinsing, washing and rinsing....NOTHING WORKED. By 9:30 I was beside myself, so decided to Google and found this site. I did not have rubbing alcohol so I tried several other suggestions. What finally worked for me was:

1. Soaking my hands in cold milk for 4-5 mins.
2. I also made a thick paste with baking soda and milk, which I applied in a thick coat after taking my hands out of the milk.
3. Let that dry for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Scrub mixture off and start from step 1 again.

I did this about 4-5 times (relief started with the first application) and then left the last coat on all night and washed my hands this morning. My fingers are still tender (and visibly red and a bit swollen, but the baking soda and milk provided great relief. Without them, I'm sure I would not have gotten a bit of sleep.

I'll NEVER cut peppers without gloves again! Thank you for all the helpful suggestions...I was able to find one that worked for me!

The following was sent in by Jann Lewis

Jalepeno burns.. I burned three fingers and two thumbs by cutting peppers and pulling out the seeds. It was excrutiating for three hours, I tried everything recommended, and then came to a site that suggested Colgate toothpaste, and remembered my daughter tried that. I rubbed some all over my fingers and waited, approximately 30 minutes later the pain was completely gone, it was amazing!!!!

The following was sent in by Krystal Korpalski

After cutting up lots of peppers, half hour went by and fireballs felt like they were in my hands!! Tried milk, cold water, ice, toothpaste and different forms of alcohol!! Some may it worse or only gave few minute relief. Then tried store brand antiacid, soaked few minutes on an off and gave the best relief temporarily for long periods of time but when i stopped it came back full fledged. Lastly, scrubbed hands with Dawn dish soap and rinsed with lukewarm water...fantastic!!! Hands got very oilly and sticky from all the oils coming out so did it again in 20 minutes and hasn't returned, best remedy out there!! I only mention the antacid because I think that was a good first step to the soap.

The following was sent in by Ophelia

I just had the pleasure of a Jalapeno burn on my nose, lips and cheeks for the last 45 minutes. I started with alcohol, ice water followed by lemon and baking soda "mush." Alternating the ice water, lemon and baking soda put out the "fire" in about 40 minutes. Relief was immediate with each treatment but the "fire" returned in seconds, I kept alternating the water, baking soda and lemons eventually the symptom went away as fast as it came. I did not get a chance to try the rest of the tips like peroxide and dawn.

See also
Jelapeno burn treatment

Good or Bad!

Jalepeno IN the Nose!!! Ouch.... :/

Comments by: Stephanie from Stockton CA Nov 26, 2008

OH, my goodness. I have never felt so embarrassed about something so trivial. I cleaned and sliced in half A jalepeno (1st time ever in my life) this morning along with an onion. I went on my marry little way, did what I had to do and went to work. A few hours later, I blew my nose at work and couldn't figure out why my nose felt so clear and burning. After about 15 minutes, I figured it out. I had jalepeno and onion in my nose. I tried putting a moistened kleenex in my nose, only for that to make it worse. Then a friend gave me a nasal spray, that worked briefly. I finally googled and found this site that mentioned rubbing alcohol. I have a bottle, so I dipped a q-tip and swabbed the inside of my nose. It's been about 10 minutes. It seems to be working ok. Whew. That is not a nice feeling.

Jalapeno Pepper Juice in the Eye.

Comments by: Mary Bratton from Westtown, New York Nov 09, 2008

Use a Warm Tea Bag. Will take the pain away almost immediately.

BURN BURN BURN

Comments by: LH from Texas Nov 04, 2008

i know the pain. that stuff BURNSSS so bad. for HOURS yes. i will wear gloves forsure next time.

jalepeno burns on lips

Comments by: jessica greenbaum from nyc Oct 03, 2008

some raw jalepeno oil must have gotten on a piece of cauliflower I ate. My lips burned so fast, they bled within a moment!

YES to toothpaste. Thank you, thank you

Maalox worked well

Comments by: Krissy from Philadelphia, PA Aug 11, 2008

I was cutting jalepeno's and scraping out the seeds last night, and was in horrible pain for over 3 hours. I tried vinegar, Extra Virgin olive oil, milk, toothpaste and nothing worked. I finally saw this site and ran out to get maalox. I soaked my hands for 22 minutes and although the pain did not disappear completely, it did soothe the burning for the most part. After pulling my hands out of the maalox and drying them (but not washing the maalox off) I put Gold Bond Powder on them and the pain lessened even more (i was sure to scratch the gold bond under my nails, as the jalepeno juice seeped in under my nails). This concoction sooted my hands enough to allow me to fall asleep. Oh yeah, I also took 3 motrin IB's before i went to sleep.

Cure from poison control

Comments by: Sarah from Washington, DC Feb 21, 2008

Okay I know the answer to chili pepper burns on your skin. I called poison control. The lady knew right away what I was talking about. She said to soak my hands for twenty minutes in Maalox. Does something to the nerve endings. She was absolutely right. After hours of burning and trying cold water, rubbing alcohol, vegetable oil, and vitamin e oil, Maalox did the trick for good. ALWAYS wear gloves when cutting up hot peppers.