PSA: After eating jalapeno chips...

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I've rubbed my eye by accident after eating salt and vinegar chips.
Was painful as can be.
 

Sixguns

Platinum Member
May 22, 2011
2,258
2
81
I did this once after eating a crap ton of hotwings. I now have a one hand rule when eating wings to prevent this.
 
Feb 6, 2007
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I helped my girlfriend (at the time) chop habanero for a dish she was preparing, washed the knife off in hot soapy water, and then brushed the back of my hand against my eyes... 8 years later and the burn still hasn't subsided.
 

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
63
91
As an ER nurse please flush your eyes with cool running water and if you cannot get the pain under control consider seeing an eye doctor. That is all.
 

Krazy4Real

Lifer
Oct 3, 2003
12,221
55
91
As an ER nurse please flush your eyes with cool running water and if you cannot get the pain under control consider seeing an eye doctor. That is all.
Pfft... nobody comes to ATOT for sound medical advice.

OP, all that means is that you need to rub your eyes with jalapeno fingers more. You will develop a resistance to it eventually.
 

jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
2,670
1
81
or if you need help getting contacts out, don't ask your girlfriend who has been eating Trader Joe's Chili spiced mangoes.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,651
30,936
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i will chop an habanero and toss it in jambalya or whatever...and I nearly always forget about this and end up rubbing it into my eyes later that evening. ...and no amount of washing, or dipping fingers in milk (for lipid binding) will remove that capsaicin.

the odd thing is, I am now quite used to it. It doesn't hurt so much as it gives me a rush.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Yeah, cutting up a pile of habaneros, not being very diligent about getting all the oils off your hands and then taking a leak is not a fun experience. That was a dull burn that lasted several hours.
 

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
As an ER nurse please flush your eyes with cool running water and if you cannot get the pain under control consider seeing an eye doctor. That is all.

Capsaicin is not water soluble. It also won't cause any damage unless you have an allergy.
 

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
i will chop an habanero and toss it in jambalya or whatever...and I nearly always forget about this and end up rubbing it into my eyes later that evening. ...and no amount of washing, or dipping fingers in milk (for lipid binding) will remove that capsaicin.

the odd thing is, I am now quite used to it. It doesn't hurt so much as it gives me a rush.

Alcohol. Milk is worthless.
 

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
17
81
WHAT?!
xydPlqR.jpg
 

TheFamilyMan

Golden Member
Mar 18, 2003
1,198
1
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Capsaicin is not water soluble. It also won't cause any damage unless you have an allergy.

Lies...lots of damage can come from a bit of capsaicin...PSA...wife and I were making dinner one night while the kids were away. The recipe included some jalapeno and habanero peppers chopped up and I bravely took that duty on. Little did I know things would take an amorous turn shortly thereafter. It wasn't my fault I wasn't thinking clearly when my fingers wandered to her naughty parts. She damn near killed me that night.
 

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
63
91
Capsaicin is not water soluble. It also won't cause any damage unless you have an allergy.

It can cause contact dermatitis and flushing with water will help to an extent. It can cause damage I've seen it in the ER.
 

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
It can cause contact dermatitis and flushing with water will help to an extent. It can cause damage I've seen it in the ER.

Pepper spray?

Just saying that if that's your basis for comparison, it's not the same ballpark as a little potato chip residue on a finger.

I have yet to see anyone have a visible skin reaction to any pepper.

Contact dermatitis can be a severe allergic reaction, but un-concentrated capsaicin is not going to cause a severe (medical attention necessary) irritant reaction, even in someone with sensitive skin like mine.

Water flushing is common-sense medicine for chemical eye injuries, but in this case I fear will make things worse.