How to Calm Pepper Burn

The capsaicin in chili peppers lets off heat that irritates skin and eyes.

Calming pepper burn makes the difference between discomfort and comfort. Eating spicy peppers, like chili peppers and jalapenos, can cause your food to a gain a spicy flavor that burns the insides of your mouth and lips. Pepper oil from the skin and seeds of a hot pepper can burn your eyes and skin when in contact. Prevent pepper burn by wearing gloves and by not touching your eyes and skin during preparation. Soothe pepper burn to enjoy your dining or cooking experience without pain. Does this Spark an idea?

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Dairy food
Dairy-based beverage or sweet non-carbonated juice
Rubbing alcohol
Soap
Water
Saline solution
Cucumber rounds

Instructions

Food and Mouth
- 1
  
  Stir a dairy product such as milk, yogurt, cheese or sour cream into a dish to mellow out the taste of pepper burn.
- 2
  
  Add more non-spicy ingredients such as vegetables, meat, stock or sauce to decrease the spicy flavor.
- 3
  
  Drink a dairy-based beverage or non-carbonated sweet juice to counteract the sting of pepper burn in your mouth.
Skin and Eyes
- 4
  
  Rub pepper burn on your skin with rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to soak in for one minute to remove the pepper oils. Rinse the area with soap and water.
- 5
  
  Rinse pepper burn that entered your eyes with cold water or a saline solution. Flush the pepper oils out from your eyes with a continuous flow of water or saline.
- 6
  
  Place sliced cucumber rounds over your eyes or skin to reduce swelling and burning resulting from pepper burn.