How to Remove Hot Chili from Hands

The apsaicin compound that makes jalapeno peppers hot is also the cause of the burning sensation when it comes in contact with the skin. If you burn your hands after cutting peppers, don’t be afraid! You can safely and effectively reduce the compound capsaicin using household substances! ^{[1] X Trusted Source American Chemical Society Go to Source}

Table of Contents

Dissolve capsaicin with olive oil

Rub olive oil on your hands. Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into one palm, then gently rub your hands together. Be sure to evenly coat your fingers, hands and back of the hand with oil. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Capsaicin is more soluble in oil than in water. In fact, if you just wash your hands with water, there will be no harm, because the capsaicin will spread instead of being washed off!
You can also use vegetable oil instead of olive oil.

Rub the oil under the nails. Capsaicin can get under your nails, stay there and cause irritation even after you’ve scrubbed your hands as hard as you can. You should try to rub the oil under the tips of your nails as thoroughly as possible.

Twist a corner of the paper towel into a pointed end and dip in the oil. Gently slide the tip of the oil-soaked tissue under the nail. The oil will dissolve the capsaicin in the dark.
You should also consider clipping your nails to remove any residual chili oil.

Wash with alcohol or diluted bleach solution

Soak your hands in a bowl of alcohol to quickly soothe the burning sensation. Pour a cup of rubbing alcohol into the bowl and dip your hands in it. Rub your hands together vigorously, making sure the alcohol is evenly spread over your hands and wrists. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Alcohol dissolves capsaicin present in jalapeno oil, similar to olive oil.
You don’t need to soak both hands for a long time. Remove your hands from the bowl when alcohol has covered both hands.
You can also use a high alcohol alcohol like vodka if you don’t have rubbing alcohol available! ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Dip your hands in a diluted bleach solution if alcohol is not available. Instead of alcohol, you can mix 5 parts water to 1 part bleach in a bowl or large container. Dip your hand in the solution and remove it immediately. Bleach can cause severe burns and skin irritation when in contact with the skin for long periods of time, so you must be very careful. The bleach will react with the capsaicin in the jalapeno oil on the skin. This reaction will neutralize the irritating ingredients. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Bleach is a strong chemical that will remove color from clothes, so you need to be extremely careful when pouring bleach into the bowl. To prevent bleach from splashing on your clothes, wear an old shirt or an apron to protect your clothes.
It’s best to mix bleach in the kitchen or bathroom sink to limit the risk of bleach getting on things like carpets or towels.

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Wash your hands and apply moisturizer. After washing your hands with alcohol or bleach, wash the chili oil off your hands and wrists with soap and water. Both alcohol and bleach dry out the skin very quickly, so it’s best to use a mild hand soap instead of dish soap.

You may have to wash your hands several times to get rid of the bleach smell on your hands!
Apply moisturizer after washing your hands to restore the skin’s natural moisture that may have been lost due to chemicals.

Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Mix the water, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. Mix 1/8 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide in a bowl. Use a fork to mix well, crush the lumps of baking soda. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Hydrogen peroxide affects the structure of capsaicin molecules, neutralizing its irritating components.
Baking soda helps absorb capsaicin oil and activates hydrogen peroxide.

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Soak your hands in a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Dip your hands in the mixture to cover both hands. Rub your hands together so that the mixture coats your fingers. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Soak your hands in the mixture for about 1 minute, then remove them.
Hydrogen peroxide can stain clothes, so you should avoid getting the solution on the fabric. Consider wearing an apron to protect clothing when using the solution.

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Wash the mixture off your hands with soap and water. Wait for the mixture to dry, then lather the soap and rub your hands together to create a lather. Place your hands under the tap to rinse off the mixture.

Rub around and under the nails when washing. The seeds in the mixture will help remove the jalapeno oil left under the nails.
Any remaining jalapeno oil will be dissolved and washed off with soap and water.

Steps

Dissolve capsaicin with olive oil

Wash with alcohol or diluted bleach solution

Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

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