Loading... Please wait...

Newsletter

Pick Your Poison(s)
When you sign-up to be on our mailing list, you will begin to receive our newsletter which contains exclusive promotions and coupons!

Kill The Heat

HELP ME! How do I kill the heat?

We'll as you may have guessed from the title, this is the page where we send folks who are in need of a little assistance.

While I know that chiles and water don't mix, and water can cause the burn to feel worse, nonetheless it is often the handiest material to be found in the largest quantity. Ultimately, the only thing guaranteed to 'cure the burn' is about 20 minutes to a half-hour. Water can help to buy you that time, in addition to the many other remedies suggested here.

Below you will find some common mistakes that people make after handling hot peppers, or getting in over their head with hot sauces or spices. These are some of the cures we have found to work for us.

Be warned though, that the only real cure for the burning that results from hot peppers is time, these are merely ways to distract oneself from, or in some cases temporarily relieve the pain.

When it comes to hot peppers you can't play around. Many people don't know it, but most Police Mace, is made from an oil called capsaicin, which is extracted from peppers. Since this substance is an oil, it is difficult if not impossible to get rid of once it is on the skin or comes in contact with mucus membranes. That's why it's so effective as a weapon, the only way to get rid of it is to let it wear off with time.

 

Problem Jim's Solution
Burning Mouth: "I ate something WAY Out of My league, help!"

Try eating bread, bread with butter on it, cheese, drinking milk, or eating ice cream. Ice cream works best because it has the added benefit of being cold. Something sweet will also help.

People have also suggested to me: bananas, vinegar, and salt (although not all at the same time). If you try enough of these cures, eventually one of them will work as you will have bought yourself the 20 minutes needed.
Burning Hands: "I put my unprotected hand where it shouldn't have been"

Try washing your hand with a soap specifically designed to remove grease and oils, like Dawn.

I've also been told that washing in vinegar is effective.

Soaking your hands in ice water will make them feel good and buy you time but water does little good on chile oil.

If it becomes too intolerable, a topical anesthetic such as Bactine or Solarcaine can also provide some relief.
Burning Down there!?!: I used the bathroom without washing my hands first, or my spouse/partner didn't wash their hands

Soak affected area in cool bath water and wait.
Burning Facial Area: I got shot in the face by an extra juicy pepper

Rinse the affected area continually with cool water, or wrap ice in a damp cloth and hold over area.
Yikes - its in my EYES!!: Find an old blues tune, a chick flick, or last years' tax return. These will help you with the most effective cure for chile in the eyes- crying!

Chances are pretty good that you're already well on the way to curing yourself about two seconds
after the incident has happened