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Damage Control

sudostahp

sudostahp

I'm pretty new to super hots. I've played around with and grown Habaneros and below, but I've hurt myself enough these last few days to know that some of these peppers need special handling.

Gloves seem like a good idea going forward. What else can I do to avoid the burn? What can I do to take the burn out if I slip up?

Thank you all in advance!

Bonus tip: I like to label everything with permanent marker, but it's nice to re-use cups, buckets, and seed trays. (Water-based and dry-erase markers run when wet.) You can write over a permanent marker with a dry-erase marker, let it set, and it will wipe cleanly off most smooth surfaces.
 
grease pens are another option for semi-permanent labeling.



Prevention of capsaicin is the best option...a little latex goes a long way. ;)
 
some people are allergic to latex, nitrile is stronger but not as form-fitting... vinyl works but is the worst (imho)...
 
get old and crusty like me and nothing seems to bother you anymore....especially old man laser breath.

but just in case something gets past my natural defences, i keep a misting bottle of diluted vinegar by my stove. should i get finger burn, i mist my hands with vinegar, rinse them and then wash with soap and water, then mist and rinse again.

i also use the bottle daily for cleaning cutting my cutting board when ever i cut meats.
 
salsalady said:
some people are allergic to latex, nitrile is stronger but not as form-fitting... vinyl works but is the worst (imho)...
Click to expand...

No latex allergy here. I've got boxes of nitrile gloves though. What about harvest time? Will nitrile gloves hold up, or should I have a set of those big rubbermaid dish mits?
 
The burn can go through latex...Nitrile is the way to go. Change gloves often and until you are done cleaning everything that touched the pods thoroughly. Another tip is to wash all your pepper processing equipment in cold water to start with and then into the dishwasher. Hot water will create very irritating fumes. Nitrile will hold up ok during harvest...but I don't usually have a problem pulling pods without gloves, but when processing they're a must.
 
Enough exposure and eventually you just learn to ignore the burn on your hands... and when you rub your eyes... and scratch your nose and touch, uh, other sensitive parts. :party: I only really use gloves when I know I'm gonna be touching somebody else after.

I'm just a bit lost though on why you would need gloves for harvesting?? The capsaicin is on the inside of the pod. ;) Or do you mean the post-harvest processing?
 
gasificada said:
I'm just a bit lost though on why you would need gloves for harvesting?? The capsaicin is on the inside of the pod. ;) Or do you mean the post-harvest processing?
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I've had pods break before. It's been more common with smaller peppers, but I can only imagine the joy of putting a thumb through a Viper.

Edit: I think I should shop around for a hazmat suit for post-harvest processing.
 
here is a link to a site that tells you what gloves to use for what use. unfortunately capasicin is not listed on there comparison list.
http://www.aps.anl.gov/Safety_and_Training/User_Safety/gloveselection.html
 
http://www.amazon.com/Playtex-CleanCuisine-Disposable-Gloves-Large/dp/B002GU61ZK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358083741&sr=8-2&keywords=clean+cuisine+gloves

Above is a link to what I use when processing my pods. They come in both medium and large. I use one pair each time I process, since they're disposable. I've never had a problem with them..... except for the one time I apparently managed to slice a hole into one and didn't know until the burn started. Like SL said, they don't form-fit like other materials, but if you get an appropriate size for your hands, it's not usually a problem. (I have fairly small hands, but accidentally picked up a pack of large the time I sliced the glove open: I didn't notice because it was pretty loose.) Note the link I provided is for a 3-pack, not a single pack. You may be able to find them locally without ordering online.
 
Nitrile!
Latex isn't good with oil, it damages and penetrates latex. I find they don't work.

Same reason you shouldn't use any oil based products with condoms (sorry to lower the tone, but it's a fair analogy)
 
sudostahp said:
Bonus tip: I like to label everything with permanent marker, but it's nice to re-use cups, buckets, and seed trays. (Water-based and dry-erase markers run when wet.) You can write over a permanent marker with a dry-erase marker, let it set, and it will wipe cleanly off most smooth surfaces.
Click to expand...

"OFF!" bug spray, or anything else with deet in it will take permanent marker off anything. It literally melts the ink right away.
 
I just recently discovered that bleach works on my hands after working with chilies. I hate bleach as a rule, but I discovered that if I dip my fingers into bleach, and then rinse them very thoroughly in water, that the capsaicin goes away.

Here is some advice from thechileman.org: (http://www.thechileman.org/guide_heat.php)

"When handling hot Chile peppers, ALWAYS wear a pair of disposable gloves and preferably eye protection. Most Chile enthusiasts have heeded this warning at some time. Believe me you will only make this mistake once!

If you are unfortunate to get struck down by Hunan Hand, dowse the affected part with a mild bleach solution, vegetable oil or milk all of which will help easy the pain (in time). Do not using these treatments for Jalapeno eye! A cool wet towel and a lie down is probably the best remedy."
 
scratchzilla said:
"OFF!" bug spray, or anything else with deet in it will take permanent marker off anything. It literally melts the ink right away.
Click to expand...
A little less dangerous..... inks are generally soluble in one of three things, depending upon their chemical makeup: water, alcohol, or acetone (the main ingredient in nail polish remover.)
 
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