Remedies For Soothing Hot Pepper Stings.

Peppers are good for consumption and health but they are nasty on the hands that cut or handle them,

skins that touch them and eyes that come in contact with them. This is due to the burning and stinging effects of capsaicin, the component that gives peppers their hotness and medicinal properties.

Handling peppers is not avoidable if you cook with them and they leave a burning sensation on your hands long after you have handled them, but there are remedies available in your kitchen or home which you can use to soothe or reduce the pain.The best remedy is to prevent the sting in the first place by wearing gloves before handling them. Below are

ten of some the remedies that will work for finding relief.

1. Palm oil and other vegetable oils. Rub some oil on your hands before cutting or handling pepper. You can also apply palm oil, coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil and other oils after washing off with dish soap. A mixture of palm oil and ashes is commonly used in South West Nigeria.
2. Salt. Apply salt to your hands and leave for some time before washing off. You can also mix some salt in water and soak your hands in it for some time for relief.
3. Baking soda. Make a paste by mixing some baking soda and water. Apply to your hands and allow it to dry before washing it off.
4. Bleach and water. Wash your hands with a weak solution of bleach and water and then rinse off with water.
5. Aloe vera. Apply aloe vera gel on the hands after washing with soap.
6. Banana flesh or peel. Rub some banana skin or flesh on the stinging area.
7. Apple cider vinegar. Make some apple cider solution and soak your hands in it for about 0 to 15 minutes.
8. Lime or lemon juice. Rub some lime or lemon juice on your hands and leave on for about minutes. You can also soak your hands in some lime and water mixture.
9. Alcohol. Rub alcohol on your hands or mix some alcoholic drink with some water and soak your hands in it for some time.
10. Milk or yoghurt. Rub milk or yoghurt on the hands and leave for 15 minutes before washing off.

Most of these remedies are for the hands, mouth or skin. Use only water or slightly salty solution to rinse your eyes if they come in contact with pepper.

Share effective local remedies for pepper stings that you know below or by email to yvonnebosede06@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.