The Anonymous Widower

Artificial Intelligence To The Rescue

This evening, I had a Marks & Spencer Chicken jalfrezi with Basmati Rice for supper.

Marks put a green vegetable in the rice, which I’m not keen on as it gets stuck in the back of my throat.

So tonight, I picked it out with my hand before cooking, and put it in the food waste.

It didn’t make any difference to the cooking, but as I sat down to eat, I noticed that my right hand was going red.

As I’d never picked the dreaded green vegetable out of the rice before, I asked Google AI, if handling spices can make my hand go red and received this reply.

Yes, handling certain spices, particularly chili peppers, can definitely make your hands go red. This reaction is known as “Hunan hand syndrome” or “chili burn” and is caused by the chemical compound capsaicin.

That, certainly happened to me.

It might almost may have been worse for me because.

• My mother taught me to cook in the 1950s and she didn’t use lots of spices in her cooking. So I never learned about the dangers of spices.
• I have a leaking skin, which allows water in and out of my body easily.
• I have an immune system, like a platoon of the SAS on steroids.

So was this, why I was affected?

I then asked Google AI, “What do you do, if you react badly to chilli”, and received this reply.

If you experience a bad reaction to chili (caused by the compound capsaicin), consume dairy products (like milk or yogurt), acidic foods/drinks (lemonade or orange juice), or starches (bread or rice) for relief.
For severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek immediate medical attention as it could be an allergic reaction.

For Reactions in the Mouth
The primary methods work because capsaicin is oil-soluble, not water-soluble. Water will only spread the burning sensation.
Dairy Products: Milk, yogurt, and sour cream contain a protein called casein, which acts like a detergent to strip away the oily capsaicin molecules from your pain receptors. Whole or full-fat dairy products tend to be more effective than low-fat versions.
Acidic Foods/Drinks: The acidity in items like lemon or lime juice helps to neutralize the alkaline capsaicin molecule.
Sugary Foods: A spoonful of sugar or honey can absorb the capsaicin oil and provides a distraction from the pain.
Starches/Carbohydrates: Eating plain bread, rice, or potatoes can help by creating a physical barrier and absorbing the capsaicin molecules.
Oils/Nut Butters: Capsaicin dissolves in fat. Swishing with a bit of olive oil or eating a spoon of peanut butter can help dissolve and remove the capsaicin.

For Reactions on the Skin

If you experience a burning sensation on your skin after handling chilies:
Wash the area thoroughly with dish soap and water several times, as dish soap is designed to cut grease and oil.
Soak the affected skin in milk or apply yogurt/sour cream.
You can also try a paste made of baking soda and water, or soaking the area in a diluted vinegar solution.
If the pain is severe and persistent, over-the-counter pain relievers or topical corticosteroid creams may offer relief.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While a normal reaction to chili is an intense sensation rather than actual harm, a true allergy can be serious.

Seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience:
Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
Swelling of the mouth, lips, or tongue
Chest pain or heart palpitations
Uncontrollable nausea or vomiting

Luckily for me, a yogurt worked.

Conclusion

I shall use a suitable tool, like pliers or tweezers, when handling those dreaded green vegetables.

December 6, 2025 - Posted by AnonW | Artificial Intelligence, Computing, Food, Health | Allergies, chilli, Coeliac/Gluten-Free, Google AI, Marks and Spencer, Yoghurt