2500 to 8000 Scoville units of this hot pepper have many nutritional benefits for your health and eyes. But, it may trigger a reaction in sensitive people. Fortunately, using home remedies you can get rid of the allergy.
The Jalapeño peppers are small yet very hot and are mostly found in Mexico. Apart from providing nutrients like vitamin C, A, B6, E and vitamin K, it can cause severe skin burn. The tingling sensation may be triggered after eating the pepper or when you come in contact while slicing them.
The burn from jalapeño peppers is caused by a chemical compound capsaicin that is naturally found in the pepper. Capsaicin is the oil found inside the pepper. The best way to prevent jalapeno skin burn is to wear gloves. It’s an easy reminder for you not to touch your face and other parts of the body.
Here are some of the remedies to avoid jalapeno skin burns. These remedies act as soothing agents for such burning sensation. Try one among them to get rid of this discomfort, but if the burning continues consult a doctor.
Home Remedies for Jalapeno Skin Burn
1. Cold milk or Yogurt
Milk is one of the best home remedy to deal with jalapeno skin burns as it is readily available. Milk neutralizes the capsaicin oil that causes the sting. You can either drink cold milk or gently apply milk and yogurt over the affected part. Other alternate remedies include consumption of sour milk cream, ice cream or cottage cheese.
2. Baking Soda Paste
Another easy way to stop such burns is application of baking soda.Make a thick paste of baking soda either with milk or water and apply it directly to the burning part. Leave it on until it dries before washing off.
3. Olive oil or Vegetable Oil
Calming effect of olive oil and vegetable oil can effectively reduce the inflammation over the skin. This gives a sort of cold feeling to the skin. Apply olive oil or vegetable oil evenly over the affected part and leave it to dry. Repeat the process till you feel better. As a precautionary measure you can apply some amount of oil to your hands before cutting the peppers.
4. Lime Juice
The burn from a jalapeño pepper may be reduced by lime or lemon juice. You need to soak the affected part in diluted lemon juice.
Lime juice contain citric acid, they may be useful in neutralizing the alkalinity of the capsaicin in the jalapeño pepper. Chilled lemon or lime juice on the skin may work in two ways by neutralizing the capsaicin and acting as a cool compress for the skin.
5. Toothpaste
Toothpastes also have the capability to reduce skin burning. Use toothpaste with both menthol and aloe vera gel for jalapeño pepper burns in the mouth. Aloe Vera and menthol will work together to decrease the burning in your mouth. You can also apply toothpaste to your skin, but it will have to be reapplied frequently to keep the burning at bay.
6. Sugar water
If you are suffering from mouth burns after eating jalapeno then one of the easiest and best ways to get rid of those burning sensations is to rinse your mouth with sugar water. Take a glass of water and dissolve 1-2 tbsp of sugar in it and rinse with water.
7. Cold Compress
Cold compress has always turned out to be beneficial when you are effected with jalapeno. It gives numbness to the effected area which ultimately eases the burning sensation. You need to flush out the eye with cold water, immediately after being in contact with jalapeno. You can mistakenly rub your eyes after cutting or touching jalapeno or sometimes may get effected with the juice as well, in such situation do not panic. Wash the area thoroughly with cold water.
8. Chocolate
You might be surprised to know chocolate as a remedy to treat jalapeno skin burn but it is true. The reason behind this is capsaicin is easily in fat, and chocolate contains fat. So next time when you get effected with jalapeno just grab your favorite chocolate and enjoy it.
9. Other Remedies
Apart from the above ones you can also try the following remedies to treat jalapeno skin burn
- Foods like cucumber, banana and honey as very effective in giving you relief from the burning sensation. Try having these foods.
- Starchy food is also helpful in reducing the pain and burning food, potato contains starch, you can eat it and make sure you chew it thoroughly.
Tips to be Remembered
- Make sure you wash your hands completely with soup after cutting the pepper.
- Avoid touching others, especially babies after slicing the jalapeno.
- If the burning sensation still persists then immediately consult your doctor.
- It may even give blisters on your skin, do not wait for it to heal by itself, go and see the doctor.
- Drinking water after eating jalapeno may spread the burning sensation to other parts of the body as well.
Which home remedy you’d like to soothe Jalapeno pepper skin burn?