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Cooking with chili is an everyday occurrence if you're Mexican, because we can't conceive of chilaquiles without spice, but despite being used to it and enjoying its flavor when eating, we still get burned and feel the sting of chili on our hands while cooking.

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This burning sensation from chili is mainly caused by capsaicin, a chemical compound found in the white, spongy membrane inside it, called placenta, and when we eat it or our skin comes into contact with it, our brain actually thinks that the mouth or skin is burning.

So that’s what happens when you cut it to add to one of your dishes and you feel like your hands will never be normal again, because even after washing your hands, the effect of the chili is still there.

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How to Remove Chili Burn from Hands

The best prevention to avoid chili burn on your hands is to wear gloves, because in addition to preventing the chili oils and capsaicin from getting on your hands, they are also a great way to avoid touching your face or, worse, rubbing your eyes.

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1. Alcohol

The first way to remove chili burn is to rub alcohol on your hands to eliminate capsaicin, which is an oil. Chili oil and capsaicin are more soluble in alcohol than in water, and you can even use high-proof alcohol like vodka.
Then you can soak your hands in milk or another dairy product. If you get chili in your eyes, just use water or saline solution to rinse them.

2. Oil

Vegetable or olive oil helps dissolve the oils from spicy chili. In fact, some people rub their hands with just a touch of oil before cutting the chili as a prevention so they avoid having burning hands.

3. Dish Soap

Many dish soaps can dissolve oils and are more effective than regular hand soap, so you just need to wash your hands well with dish soap after cutting chili.

4. Whole Milk or Yogurt

The theory behind this is that chili is also more soluble in fats and oils than in water. Soaking your hands in milk or yogurt until the burning sensation stops works for many.

5. Diluted Bleach Solution

Alton Brown, food presenter and chef, recommended in one of his shows to use a solution of five parts water and one part bleach to remove chili from your hands and stop having a pair of lethal weapons stuck to your body.

6. Baking Soda Paste

Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it directly to your hands. Let it sit until it dries and then rinse.

I hope one of these six home remedies helps you remove the chili burn from your hands, and if you have another more effective remedy, feel free to share it with us.