How to quickly get rid of a burning sensation in the mouth after spicy food

24.07.2019 00:00

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Even those who love spicy food sometimes underestimate the sauce or spices and their taste buds start to burn. Due to a strong rush of blood, the formation of gastric juice increases, and its excess is thrown into the esophagus - this is how heartburn occurs.

Even those who love spicy food sometimes underestimate the sauce or spices and their taste buds start to burn. Due to a strong rush of blood, the formation of gastric juice increases, and its excess is thrown into the esophagus - this is how heartburn occurs. Unpleasant sensations in the mouth can be long-lasting, and you want to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

The first thing that comes to mind is to drink a glass of water. It seems like it can put out a fire quickly, but in reality it doesn't. What to eat or drink to eliminate the burning sensation after spicy food?

How does spicy food affect the body?

Eating foods with a lot of spices and seasonings often and in large quantities is harmful to the body. Such additives improve the taste of the dish, and sometimes you can simply forget about the measure, and overeating has never benefited anyone. It causes heaviness in the stomach, shortness of breath, gas, hiccups and, of course, heartburn. And no one has canceled the extra pounds. Many studies prove that excessive consumption of spicy foods causes diseases of the stomach and duodenum. Such food is absolutely contraindicated for people diagnosed with gastritis and ulcers.

After spicy food, bad breath appears. This applies more to onions and garlic, which create a specific “aroma” that does not disappear for a long time. Plus, the sensitivity of the receptors responsible for recognizing taste may decrease. The result is that the food will seem unsalted, bland and even unpleasant.

On the other hand, spicy foods in moderation can be beneficial. Spices and seasonings stimulate blood flow to the digestive organs, due to this, in some cases, the state of health during colds is made easier, and sputum in case of bronchitis is cleared better. The stimulating effect of acute to some extent has a positive effect on weight loss. This occurs as a result of activation of the cardiovascular system and acceleration of blood flow.

Research by some scientists proves that spicy foods produce serotonin, the so-called happiness hormone, which improves mood and increases overall emotional state and vitality. Therefore, a Mexican salad can be a great alternative to a chocolate bar.

Why does pepper burn?

Capsaicin is an oily substance found in some varieties of hot peppers; it is this component that gives dishes a special, specific taste. During cooking, pepper juice can get on the skin of your hands, thereby instantly causing a burning sensation and redness, which is very difficult to neutralize.

The amount of this component in all varieties of pepper is different. Thus, the more capsaicin, the stronger the burn from contact with the skin. Some of the most popular hot peppers are chili pepper, red hot pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Pepper heat units

Treatment of burns from hot spices

In some cases, at high concentrations of capsaicin and prolonged contact, prerequisites for the development of a burn may form. This type of damage to the skin and mucous membranes is a typical pathology of a chemical nature. As medical practice shows, in this situation 1st or 2nd degree burns are formed. They are characterized by:

• Pain and severe itching
• Redness of the skin,
• mucous membranes,
• Development of swelling.

In some cases, the appearance of small blisters with transparent contents or a local rash or secondary manifestations is diagnosed. First aid and subsequent treatment scheme:

• Elimination of substance . Blot the damaged areas with a dry cloth, then wash them with sodium bicarbonate solution,
• Reducing the inflammatory process. After removing the substance from the skin and mucous membranes, the affected areas are placed under a stream of cool, clean water for 15-20 minutes,
• Antiseptic treatment. The epidermis, face and eyes are treated with safe antiseptics that reduce the risk of developing a secondary bacterial infection. Miramistin or Chlorhexidine is used,
• Assistive therapy. After completing the above measures, it is possible to locally use available products based on dexpanthenol, which promotes the healing of soft tissues. In addition, if necessary, antihistamines (ointments or tablets) are used to relieve allergic reactions, analgesics to relieve pain, and steroids as prescribed by a doctor.

Possible consequences

In general, pepper burns on the skin do not cause any negative consequences - 7-12 days after the incident, the epidermis is completely restored.

Contact of the active component of pepper in the eyes poses a moderate hazard. It can cause severe irritation of the visual organs, requiring additional treatment by an ophthalmologist.

Much more often, the consequence of a burn from pepper and pepper spray is the background development of an allergic reaction. It can manifest itself either moderately in the form of a local rash or quite severely, up to the formation of Quincke's edema throughout the body and anaphylactic shock.

How to remove a burning sensation in the mouth

If there is an excess of hot pepper in your mouth, and a painful burning sensation persists for a long time, then in this case it is necessary:

1. First of all, eat a small piece of rye or wheat bread, which will absorb the hot oil and relieve the burning sensation in your mouth.
2. Cold fermented milk products do an excellent job of this task: kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk, sour cream and even ice cream. Or just rinse your mouth with milk from the refrigerator. This method is able to minimize the effect of the hot component of pepper on mucous areas. The main thing is that the higher the fat content of the product, the more effective the result will be.

3. Alcohol is also a good way to relieve discomfort. It is most effective if it is some kind of wine. One glass is enough.
4. Eating boiled vegetables with a high starch content: potatoes, corn will quickly relieve discomfort in the mouth and esophagus. In addition, boiled rice, banana, and a slice of lemon will also perfectly eliminate discomfort.
5. If the pepper only gets on the tongue, then you need to prepare sugar syrup (3 teaspoons of sugar per 200 ml of water) and rinse your mouth and throat with it for 30 minutes.

After eating hot pepper, you should not drink it with water. This is due to the fact that the component capsaicin does not dissolve in water, thus, it can only worsen the condition of the “fire” in the mouth.

What types of pepper cause a burning sensation?

Hot pepper is used in cooking to add piquancy and special aroma to meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. But if consumed carelessly, it causes burns to the gastric mucosa and even leads to internal bleeding, which is the reason for emergency hospitalization. The painful effect of a skin burn can last up to 3 days.

Cayenne pepper, which is loved by many spicy lovers

Numerous varieties have hotness, in particular chili and hot red pepper. It is measured in Scovilles, named after the American chemist Wilbor Scoville, who created the hotness scale for pepper fruits back in 1921 after numerous experiments with the study of capsaicin in the pods.

Different varieties of pepper have different levels of heat. Asian ones instantly burn, while Mexican ones slowly reveal their taste. South American and Asian peppers are considered the hottest; pods with a milder taste are grown in Europe.

According to the ECU scale, the hottest peppers include:

1. Poblano . 1,000–2,000 ECU. The pepper is named after the Mexican region where it grows. The seasoning made from Poblanos is called ancho chile. Fresh fruits are stuffed and served as a separate dish.
2. Serrano . 10,000–25,000 ECU. The pods taste a little spicier than Jalapeños, but at first they do not burn your mouth too much. However, you should know that its pungency appears gradually, and after a while it will bake in the mouth with all its force.
3. Jalapeño . 2,500–10,000 ECU. This pepper has earned fame as almost the hottest, but its heat on the Scoville scale is quite modest. Spicy lovers can easily eat it raw.
4. Habanero . 3500 – 570 000 ECU. Pepper with a frighteningly hot taste. Connoisseurs love it for its slight citrus tint in taste.
5. Thai . 75000-150 000 ECU. Thai is the name given to different varieties of peppers growing in Thailand. They are all sharp. Their burning sensation passes in a quick wave through the esophagus and stomach, then subsides.
6. Cayenne . 30,000-50,000 ECU. Many people's favorite hot pepper. Goes great with meat and cheese. It is used to make salsa.
7. Pimento . 100–500 ECU. The variety is called cherry for its similarity in shape and color to cherries. Paprika is made from it, so its taste is not very spicy, but at the same time juicy and sweet.
8. Red Savina . 350,000–577,000 ECU. A variety of Habanero, obtained by chance as a result of cross-pollination. It causes numbness in the lips, an increase in blood pressure and body temperature, so only true fanatics of spicy foods consume it, savoring it little by little as an exquisite delicacy.
9. Carolina Reaper. 1,400,000–2,200,000 ECU. Pepper with a very interesting taste. At first, a sweet-fruity taste is felt, gradually giving way to a very strong pungency.

Cook working with hot peppers
Interesting fact! At the Bindi restaurant, the chef prepares the world's hottest chicken wings with a sauce that has a heat of 12,000,000 ECU. For the sauce, the chef uses a mixture of several varieties of the hottest peppers in the world and their concentrated extracts. He cooks in a gas mask, gloves, and a protective suit. Visitors sign an agreement before trying a dish, in which they relieve the restaurant of all responsibility for their health.

What actions to take if you are sprayed in the face with pepper spray

The composition of pepper spray intended for civil self-defense is based on a concentrate of capsaicin, an active irritant of plant origin. If it comes into contact with the eyes or skin, the following actions must be taken:

• with a dry napkin or cloth to collect any remaining liquid. This must be done as carefully as possible, without spreading the product over the epidermis and mucous membranes,
• Blink your eyes frequently until your eyes water. The biological fluid prevents the concentrated solution from entering directly onto the organ of vision,
• Water the damaged areas with fermented milk products. You can wash off the concentrate from the pepper spray from the skin and eyes with milk, kefir or other high-fat liquid products. Water the skin and mucous membranes, but do not rub them,
• Use a soda solution . Dilute 15 grams of baking soda in 0.5 liters of water, then rinse your eyes, face and other affected areas where liquid from the pepper spray got in,
• Take off all your clothes , stand in a warm shower and wash yourself, lubricating yourself generously with soap.

What to do if pepper juice gets in your eyes

When preparing dishes with pepper, it often happens that after washing your hands poorly, when rubbing your eyes, the substance capsaicin gets onto the mucous membrane, or the juice accidentally splashes into your eyes, which causes severe pain and burning.

It is very difficult to find special eye drops for such cases in your home medicine cabinet. Therefore, there are several traditional and effective methods to neutralize capsaicin and eliminate unpleasant sensations:

1. It is necessary to steep the tea bag or tea leaves for 5 minutes to ensure a strong solution. Wipe the eye with a generously moistened cotton swab towards the inner corner of the eye.
2. Using the same principle, you can prepare a tincture of chamomile or calendula. Pour into a large bowl so that you can put your head in there; your eye should be immersed in the prepared solution. You must try to open your eye and blink it, and also actively roll your eyeball.

3. The most effective eye wash is cow's or goat's milk. It must be instilled using a special pipette. In this case, the milk should flow back when instilled, thereby washing away the burning substance.
4. Everyone in their home pharmacy probably has a drug such as furatsilin, which is very popular in ophthalmology. To do this, you need to dissolve 1 tablet of furatsilin in cooled boiled water (strain), and rinse the eyes with a sterile pipette, instilling them into the conjunctival sac (or organize an eye bath). It’s even better if it’s injectable furatsilin, which doesn’t need to be diluted with water.
5. After the procedure, it is necessary to instill eye drops that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Do not rub your eye with anything that can injure the mucous membrane. There is a high probability of a wound or scratch forming where infection can penetrate.

How to protect yourself from burning

In cases where you are preparing a dish using hot peppers, you must prepare in advance and place next to you a container with water and bleach in proportions of 5:1. In this solution, when cutting peppers, you should periodically wet your hands and rinse them with water.

In addition, the safest method to protect yourself from getting burned is to use latex gloves or plastic bags while cooking. Or you can wet your hands with vegetable oil, which will neutralize the capsaicin. Only in this way is there a high probability of avoiding burns on your hands and getting pepper juice on other parts of the body and in the eyes.

To avoid getting burned when working with pepper, you must use safety precautions. And if necessary, immediately use the above traditional remedies to eliminate the symptoms of burning and burns. If pain, discomfort, burning in the eyes and body persists after the procedures, you should definitely contact a medical specialist for specialized care.

Signs and symptoms of pepper burn

It is impossible not to notice the effect of capsaicin. At the point of contact with pepper, typical symptoms of a chemical burn appear very quickly. Severe itching occurs, the skin turns red, the burn site swells and itches.

Contact with pepper inevitably causes burns

Signs of capsaicin damage differ depending on how much of the alkaloid and how deeply it penetrates. A slight pepper burn causes slight redness and discomfort. With a moderate degree, intense redness, severe itching, peeling of the skin, and a rash resembling hives appear. With a severe burn, blisters and ulcers appear, which sometimes bleed.

Important! Capsaicin is dangerous not only because of its pungency. In large quantities, this alkaloid causes vomiting, bronchospasm and even convulsive conditions that are dangerous to health.