Help! My chili peppers have burned my tongue! or Help! My chili peppers have burned my skin! How do you stop the chili pepper burn?
How to Stop the Chili Pepper Burn
As a spicy food lover, it's bound to happen. You're chopping jalapeno peppers or other hot peppers for your meal and some of it gets on your skin and starts to burn, or you take a bite of your freshly prepared spicy dish and whoa, the spicy heat is just too much.
Honestly, this happens to the best of us. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the jalapeno burn or chili pepper burn from your skin and from eating hot peppers.
Stop the Chili Pepper Burn on the Skin
The best way to avoid chili pepper burns on the skin is to wear gloves when handling them, nitrile gloves in particular. The reason hot peppers can burn your skin is because they contain an oily substance called "capsaicin" that sticks to your skin.
Capsaicin is the substance that makes chili peppers "hot" and spicy, so avoiding the oil is the ideal way to go.
However, we often forget to wear gloves or just don't think of it, which can cause burning not only on the hands, but on other sensitive parts of the body that you touch with your hands, particularly your eyes.
Below are several ways you can combat the jalapeno heat or other hot pepper heat on your skin, or "hot pepper hands". Some are my own recommendations, but also some ideas are from spicy food readers who have shared their own personal experiences.
Be sure to read the comments below to learn other ways people have alleviated the heat for themselves.
Dish Soap and Water - Recommended
Dish soaps are meant to help clean oily plates, so they can be effective in washing away the chili oil from your burning skin. If you feel burning on your skin from handling hot peppers, wash them very thoroughly with water and dish soap several times to work the oils off of your skin.
Use Milk (or other Dairy) - Recommended
Dairy products like milk contain the chemical "casein" that combats the effects the capsaicin (the chemical that makes peppers hot) by stripping it from its receptor site on the skin.
To use milk to help stop the jalapeno burn, soak your hands in milk in a shallow bowl for several minutes, or until the heat subsides. If needed, wash your hands again thoroughly with dish soap and soak them again in milk.
Consider using milk, yogurt, sour cream or crema, or even ice cream to soak the burning skin.
Here are some other suggestions from spicy food lovers.
Rubbing Alcohol
The oil that makes chili peppers hot, capsaicin, is more soluble in alcohol, so a quick rub down with rubbing alcohol (or even a high proof booze) can help wipe it from your skin.
Just be careful, as the initial application of rubbing alcohol can cause an initial burning or stinging sensation.
Oils
Oils can be effective in helping to dissolve the burning chili oils. Dab some olive oil or any other vegetable oil onto your burning skin with cotton balls or a napkin.
Soak or wipe the skin to help dissipate the chili pepper burn.
Weak Bleach Solution
This is according to Alton Brown of "Good Eats". He says to douse your already burning hands in a mild solution of 5 to 1 water to bleach.
The bleach helps wash away the capsaicin that hasn't yet absorbed into your skin.
Baking Soda or Corn Starch Paste
Starches can help draw out the oil from your burning skin so you can wash it away and possibly neutralize it. Use 1 tablespoon of baking soda or corn starch mixed with 1 tablespoon water to form a paste.
Rub this into your skin and scrub to remove the oils causing the hot pepper burn.
Time
Please note that the chili pepper burning sensation on your skin will dissipate over time, so don't think it's going to last forever.
For most people it lasts anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, so give it time. It's not actual "burning" or damaging, only the sensation of burning, so you don't need to worry.
Hopefully this helps you find some relief with your burning skin.
Stopping Chili Pepper Burning in the Eyes
If you've been handling hot peppers and then touched your eyes, they can starts to burn and sting, as your eyes are extremely sensitive. If this happens, the best thing to do is to soak a paper towel in milk, then hold it to your burning eye.
The milk contains a chemical called "casein" that counteracts the burning chemical, "capsaicin", which makes hot peppers hot.
Stop the Burn from Eating Hot Peppers (Burning Mouth or Tongue from Chili Peppers)
Many of us have experience the burn after taking a bite of something too spicy. Often it's a bit too much hot sauce or an unexpected bit of heat at a spicy food restaurant, or you've simply miscalculated the heat of a pepper from your garden.
If you are experiencing mouth burn or tongue burn from eating jalapeno peppers or other hot peppers, here is what to do.
Eat Dairy
Because of the innate hotness of all chili peppers, they can burn not only the inside of your mouth, but your skin as well. If you find that you simply can't bear the heat after eating a chile pepper, try to consume a dairy product, like milk, yogurt, or ice cream.
Dairy products contain a chemical called casein that combats the effects of capsaicin (the chemical that makes peppers hot) by stripping it from its receptor site on the skin.
Milk can take some time to quell an intense burn, but it works. You'll notice an initial dissipation of the heat, but extremely hot peppers and foods can persist, so continue with the milk or dairy. Rinse and then swallow if necessary.
Sugar
I've also tried sugar and that seems to work in a pinch. Sugar can help absorb some of the hot chili oil and can reduce the burn, but it is primarily a distraction from the burn and lessen the effect.
Sugar is best added so recipes that already have hints of sweetness.
Time
The burning heat from eating spicy foods will eventually dissipate over time, so at least you know it won't last forever, even though it may feel that way at the moment.
I hope this helps. Again, please review the many reader comments below who've shared their own experiences and methods for combating burning skin, burning eyes, and burning tongues from eating hot peppers and other spicy foods.
Share Your Experience - Help Others
If you've found a solution that worked for you, please share your methods below to help others stop the chili pepper burn.
NOTE: This post was updated on 2/11/25 to include new information. It was originally published on 6/20/14.
NJ says
I tried most of the suggested remedies like the yogurt and baking soda and olive oil but the burn didnt go away till I cut open fresh tomatoes and applied the juice all over my hands. I applied about 2 whole tomatoes and allowed it sit on my skin for about 20 minutes. The burn started to cool off
Rachel Frey says
This works on my kids lips to! Thanks!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent!
Morgan says
Hey guys! Thank you for all of the suggestions in the comments. It kept my mind off of the EXTREME pain my hands were in. I tried literally ALL of the suggestions and nothing worked 🙁 what finally worked was running my hands under hot water (the most painful thing I have every experienced-so be prepared) and alternated between washing with Dawn dish soap and olive oil and I used our dish scrubber to scrub the oils off of my hands. The hot water opens the pores of the skin and the dawn cuts the pepper oils and the olive oil binds to the pepper oils while the scrubber scrapes it off. It was honestly the most painful thing I have experienced but I feel sooo much better! Hope this helps!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks for sharing your experience, Morgan.
Michelle says
Why do I do it to myself over n over n over lol, ouchhhh
Elena says
Thanks for your suggestions. I had a severe burn from red chili peppers. I was about to go to the hospital, because pain was unbearable. Baking soda with oil really worked for me. I had to apply many times, but finally the pain disappeared. Thanks again!
wawa othman says
i was enduring the pain until i saw my hand starts getting redder...tried putting my hands in the freezer only to make it worse when my hands went out of it ....i washed it and it made it even worse....so i tried garnier micellar water and voila it went away just like that...so mad that i didn't try it sooner
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks for sharing!
Diane says
Thank you for this suggestion! It helped so much!
Angel Baret says
Omg.. while my hands is burning like boiling into something I was reading all comments and try all the suggestions but nothing works I was just cooking a green chilli for dynamite for me and my husband but I was excited to cook and to eat I forgot to use a remedy for my hands before I take off the seeds of the pepper and while cooking I can already feel some heat until it grows and go through my whole hands
I keep ignoring the pain I entertain myself play a phone and watch movie but gosh.. I already watch 3 kinds of movie and it is already 4:30 in the morning nothing happens what I did for the last time I slept with my frozen hotdog and I used all the iced and the towels are not yet cold so I just get the frozen one ahhahah it relives
I need to lay down because my baby wants to drink milk from me so I have no choice and I am sleepy so I sleep
When I wake up.. I can't even feel my fingers and there is no pain ...
By the way thanks for all your suggestions
becky says
My girl Angel, my hand is burning like a mother fucka rn. I NEED an update. How are ya girl? Tell me there’s a light at the end of this tunnel? We need a support group up in here....but really tho how’s your hand?
Sincerely,
Someone Looking for Hope
omg my hand holy shit it’s boiling
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sorry to hear, Becky!
Caitlin says
If it ever happens again, mustard! I kid you not. I was in hour five and had tried just about everything suggested on these pages from baking soda, vinegar, salt rubs to the hot water and oil job (which was frankly worse than childbirth and significantly less productive!) and nothing worked. We were at our wits end (the family) then found a site where a woman had put mustard on. 3 x 30min sets. I had just finished rinsing off the toothpaste (mild temporary relief for what it's worth) and was in tears. Tried mustard. Incredible. I've gone from searing pain across both hands palms, fingers the lot, to hot finger tips in the space of three sets of this. I think I'll be able to sleep. So happy!
becky says
HONEY WORKED FOR ME!! I coated it in honey for 30 minutes & rinsed with cold water, and the pain went away!
Hans says
Thank you is really help with honey 30 min . I had tried yogurt soak ,hair moisture, alcohol hand sanitizer ,baking Soda , all not working . Only honey help and have to be 30min . You saved my night thank you
Katt says
Manduka honey seemed to settle the hot burning sensation on my upper lip and under my nose i thought i had washed my hands well enough before touching my face after planting some seeds from a fresh pepper . Big mistake it’s been 20 mins and colloidal silver helped a lot but only when i held it on there as soon as you wipe it away the burn comes back . Hope this helps
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks for helping, Katt!
jeanie says
I made my favorite hot sauce today. 70 serrano peppers (most seeds removed) 30 Jalapeno peppers with a few chared ancho pepper (pureed with 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 lime juiced, and salt). Love this stuff :). I forgot to wear gloves....again. I tried all of the listed things to do in the article. All of which helped for a very very short time and you had to stand over the sink. although it may have reduced the severity in the long run. What did help me a lot and wasn't too awkward to keep up with was holding a cold washcloth. I started by wetting 2 cloths and putting them in the freezer. once frozen.....I used just one. I would cup the cloth, wipe, hold it, etc. Once cloth got warm I put it back into the freezer and took out the other. When my hands were cold, the pain dissipated. you can run your hands under cold water or hold an ice cube but it's too messy or you have to stand at the sink. It takes a few hrs for the pain to subside, Hope this helps someone. Cheers
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks for sharing your experience, Jeanie. I hope it can help someone!
jeff palmer says
What is puzzling with me - never was unlucky when I chopped \ diced chili peppers. Even when I am slicing habeneros I dont suffer from it (the burning) and I even take a slice or 3 and chew them. I love the taste of orange peppers, But now after I eat a slice or a few of those and take some tequila - now you got pain. I always thought that the oil from the peppers spreads it with alcohol, Maybe I'm wrong? How can alcohol actually relieve the pain on the hands but light you up in your mouth? (I know its the taste bud thing - but the alcohol has to dissolve the oil and spread it around making it worse)
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Yes, curious! A question ripe for testing!!! =)
Frost says
I sliced chilli for the dynamite I was cooking and forgot to wear gloves while at it amd 20 mins. later, the tip of my index finger began to burn but I paid no attention to it thinking that I must've accidentally touched the hot pan without noticing it. I continued cooking until the tip of my finger burned so badly and I feel like my finger was being deep fried so I put an ice to it and it provided me temporary relief but after 1 min its gone worse and the burn spreaded from the tip to the whole finger.
I tried applying toothpaste but it got worse and it burned like hell! I let it be, enduring the pain thinking that it might be taking effect that is until the burn spreaded from my finger to my whole palm so I immediately washed it off. I tried the alcohol (but only has temporary soothing effect), lotion(got 0 effect on lessening the effect), anti acne facial foam (a 1 min soothing effect), aloe vera cut straight ffrom my plant (no effect), vegetable oil (no effects). I got drowsy while lying on the bed holding a cold pack and woke up with no burning pain in my hand so i thought it was gone but a minute after getting rid of the pack, the burning pain is back again....
My hand is still burning until now (5 hours after it started) and doing cold compress helps to lessen the pain and I don't know how long will the pain last. I hope that remedies can help your burns and you won't have to go thrpugh this process.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sorry to hear, Frost! Frustrating!
elena says
i have experience the same just yesterday..i have tried a lot from my internet readings too but none worked out. what i did to lessen the burning sensation is to put may hands in front of an aircondition and it worked..in less than 10 minutes i was relieved.
Belle J says
I mixed baking soda inside a few drops of vegetable oil. and left my fingers in for about 5 minutes. It works well!
Georgina W says
Thanks Belle! This worked like a charm!! I rubbed my hands with the mixture for about 5mins. I had tried toothpaste & washed with soaps for a few rounds but the relief was only 10mins & then back with a vengeance!!!
A.Foo says
Just pinched and sliced some green peppers and literally just two pieces of dried red chilli into an Indian dish. Hand burned throughout dinner and till after washing off in a bath. The whole process took about 2 hours? This is after trying all of these.. so im just gonna list them all down.
1. Bath washing soap
2. Hand washing soap
3. 70% alcohol hand sanitiser (evaporates too quickly, but soothing while it was on my hands)
4. Bottled aloe vera gel
5. AVEENO Active Natural w its oat extracts - 1 pump, rub, wash off, dry. 2nd pump, rub, all good now!
It was quite hard to bear the last 2 hours, especially if you do need to use your hands and be still. If you're going to get through it, find smth to distract you from the burn, and try these which I've listed.
Just sharing, but perhaps it'll help! Lotion makes a difference. Use it and wash if off the first few times.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks for sharing. Different things work for different people.
Sophia says
Tried face scrubs, milk, vinegar, hot water, toothpaste, sugar, dish soap, alcohol, aloe, and none of them worked for me. I was cutting up some fresh serrano peppers for dinner and an hour later the back and palm of my hands, including fingers, were burning HOT!! nothing worked. scratched my face and it was also burning applied milk and that went away but my hands were still on fire. I was worried I wasn’t going to be able to sleep last night... but something worked wonders!!! My hands were burning so bad, I managed to take a cold shower. While getting ready for bed my hands were still on fire. I grabbed a plastic container and filled it up with tons of ice, a little bit of water and grabbed a rag. This, even though i knew it was going to give me a little hard time, actually WORKED!! Cold compress gave me a relief of around 5 mins. Each time I would continue to wet my hands and “hug” the rag with my hands, and put it back to cool again. I also had a fan in front of me while sleeping and my hands toward the edge of the bed allowing my hands to cool off with the wind of the fan. Pain and burning disappeared within an hour while I fell asleep. Would recommend trying!!
Emily says
So the situation is that I have blisters on both my hands and was stupid enough to cut a finger chili or long chili.
I tried the suggested remedies above, like milk, alcohol, and oil. But it feels like the burning had worsen so I stopped.
Then i used the body lotion (which is the only lotion i have at the moment) twice and washed.
Guess what, it still didnt work. For me. And so my conclusion is to endure the pain.
Eventually, after 20 mins of enduring. The pain went away.
But thanks anyway guys.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sorry to hear, Emily. I know it can be frustrating and different remedies will work differently for people.