How do I get jalapeno pepper residue off my hands?

[Jamie Q]

After making my husband's favorite chutney (cut and seed 25 jalapeno & serano peppers) I can't get the residue off my hands for DAYS. I've washed, scrubbed and rinsed, but still I can taste the peppers on everything I touch.

[Gail]

According to Kasma Loha-Unchit, author of It Rains Fishes, try washing your handls several times with a soap that contains a high concentration of oil or cream. "Fresh sap from the aloe vera plant and oil-based ointments of aloe, comfrey or calendula also help relieve some of the burn. Lime juice can be effective, too, and I have heard that a strong vinegar also works equally well."

PS Use gloves next time. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 09-06-2000).]

[Danielle]

My grandmother taught me this trick after working with onions. If they leave a strong smell on your hands, rub a spoon, especially the finger tips, on your hand under running water, then wash with soap. For some reason, it takes the smell off your hands. Perhaps it will work with peppers as well??

[Ohioan]

Another home remedy for persistent smells of any kind is salt. Wet your hands, rub them with salt, rinse off the salt, and rewash with soap. And whatever works, let the rest of us know!

Cheers, Phoebe

[Pat58]

Jamie, I found out the hard way after making salsa from my garden -the capsaicin oils in the hot peppers penetrates your skin cells. That night - after washing my hands repeatedly, including a baking soda scrub - I unknowingly contaminated my contacts with capsaicin oils. WOW, when I put them in the next morning we're talking about optical Jalapenos Poppers! My eye doctor told me to soak them in repeated changes of saline solution for three days and try again. The only way for the natural oils to leave your hands is a few days of washing and lubricating as the skin cells regenerate.

Now I know better - I bought a box of surgical gloves from the drugstore (cheap) and wear them for chopping chiles, even if I'm only chopping just one.