How do you treat hot pepper skin burns?

Answer 1

I am assuming you are referring to chemical burns from an actual pepper (Capiscum family), or from pepper spray as used in the US, which is based on capsaicin -- a derrivitive of the actual pepper itself (other countries use different compounds that may not have exactly the same process).

That said, flush with water, then with milk (yes, Milk). Capsaicin, the active ingredient in peppers that make them hot, bonds with the neural sensors that detect abbrasion pain, and light them up. Once the bond is complete (and you can feel the pain) it's nearly impossible to break the bond. The mill, contains the protein casein which may have a greater affinity for bonding to capsaicin than the proteins in your own neural tissue.

If it's in the eyes, I'd use a saline eye wash, but I've also heard Visine works well. There is, however, no really fully effective remedy.

Once the capsaicin breaks down, you're left with chemical irritation, that you treat as you would any such disorder: cold pack, antiseptics if the skin is broken, bandaging if necessary. Barring allergic reactions, which are rare, this should heal easily over a week or less.

One exposure to the eyes SEEMS to be undamaging, but repeated exposure can injure the cornea.

NOTE -- capsaicin bonds super-easily, so make Certain you wear gloves when treating this -- also wear gloves when handling super hot peppers (habeneros for instance -- or even jalapenos).