Why are my fingers on left hand burning?!

[Pottymouth83]

It feels like I’ve rubbed chilli all over them! Weirdly, I have chopped chillis today but that was hours ago and since then I’ve washed my hands several times and just got out the bath and it’s just started now.

Its just my left hand - all the fingers except my thumb. No visible irritation.

Any ideas?

I'm right handed and the fingers on my left hand get like that when I've been on my phone too long. Like now, idly messing around on MN!

Really? Like they’re on fire??!

Any chance you were also chopping limes or anything citrus?

That can easily happen. Capsaicin (the hot component of chillies etc) doesn't really get washed away with water, it spreads - I speak from experience! It is a horrible sensation but it will subside. Milk and dairy products will help break down capsaicin, so will be worth trying a bowl of that and dip your hands in.

So you could have a small spot but washing will spread it and give that feeling of overall burning.

I had this when I cut chillies then stupidly rubbed my eye 🙃.

As pps have said- it's hard to get off your skin. Soap not much use but vigorous toweling helps a bit ime. Having had a bath will have stimulated the effect, that's why capsaicin rubs for tension and soreness work best after a hot bath.

Sounds like it was the chilli then! Lasted about 20 minutes. I’ll have to wear gloves next time😆

@hdoodle sorry just saw your question - yes, I was chopping limes too!

@Pottymouth83 , were you out in the sun afterwards? There is a type of burn you can get from citrus and uv light exposure, called margarita burn. Perhaps that was it? It usually causes a more visible rash, so perhaps yours was just due to the peppers!