The substance that produces the spiciness in chili peppers is a type of capsaicin, collectively known as capsaicin. When cutting peppers, capsaicin sticks to the skin, which will dilate the capillaries, causing the skin to become red and hot and accelerate the local metabolic rate. It also stimulates pain nerves, which is why we usually feel our hands burn.

It is generally believed that this is caused by capsaicin chemically transforming the nerve endings of the skin. Capsaicin is soluble in ethanol and alkaline aqueous solutions but insoluble in cold water. In industry, edible alcohol is used as a leaching agent to extract capsaicin in peppers.

Methods to deal with when your hands are spicy from chili peppers:

1. According to this principle, you can apply alcohol to dissolve the capsaicin on your hands in daily life. After cutting the peppers, you can use an alcohol cotton ball to wipe your hands in one direction, then wash your hands with clean water and dry them, and wipe them 3 times until the symptoms are relieved.

2. In addition, you can also use a small amount of vinegar to wash your hands. This is because vinegar is acidic and can neutralize capsaicin.

3. If you don’t have medical alcohol or vinegar, it’s also a good idea to wash your hands with hot water, because capsaicin will evaporate irritatingly at high temperatures. Although not as good as alcohol and vinegar, it is more effective than cold water.

4. Soaking in rice washing water for a while or washing with salt water is also very effective. It may hurt at first, but it will get better after a while.