Jalapeños: Proceed with Caution

Anyone who has ever grown or cooked with jalapeños will tell you: wear gloves. I hadn’t done either until this past weekend, when a recipe for Mexican Chicken and Bean Soup called for four seeded and chopped jalapeno peppers.

As I pulled out the seeds and chopped the peppers bare-handed, I didn’t think much of it. After all, I was only chopping them, not eating them whole.

Then, less than an hour later—my hands were on fire! No amount of soap and water would do the trick to quell the burning and swelling. I checked online and was relieved to find that I wasn’t the only one who had ever made this mistake before.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of suggestions, recommending everything from sour cream to white vinegar to rubbing alcohol to mustard to stop the burning. And let me tell you, I tried it all, but to no avail. Just as with any home remedy, the solutions will work for some people, but not for others. (Of course, in serious cases, contacting a health care professional is the best option.)

Time ended up being the best medicine, and by the morning most of the pain was gone. I learned my lesson, and I hope you will learn from this blog! If you are working in the garden or in the kitchen with hot peppers, protect your hands with gloves, or in a pinch, even a plastic bag.

On a happier note, the soup was delicious!

Have you been a victim of “pepper burn”? What did you find was the best remedy? I’d love to hear your stories and solutions.