how do i get rid of poblano pepper on my hands? i have washed my hands like thirty times.

DISCLOSURE: These are my conversations with AI, literally copied and pasted with a bit of commentary from me. 

begin commentary - "so my boyfriend kept talking about his discomfort after using poblano peppers for the first time in his life. naturally, i asked "my assistant" aka chatgpt (casually). eew. i was busy doing other things with chatgpt, so i actually unintentionally asked copilot (aka nopilot). anyway, here's the sitch."

🌶 Why washing hasn’t worked

• Capsaicin is hydrophobic: It doesn’t dissolve in water, so repeated rinsing just spreads it around.

• It binds to skin receptors: That’s why it feels like burning even though your skin isn’t physically damaged.

🧴 Effective remedies

1. Oil + Soap Method (Most Effective)

   • Rub vegetable oil, olive oil, or coconut oil into your hands for 1–2 minutes.

   • Wash with dish soap or hand soap and warm water.

   • Repeat if needed.

2. Milk or Yogurt Soak

   • Submerge hands in whole milk or plain yogurt for 10–15 minutes.

   • Casein proteins in dairy break down capsaicin.

3. Alcohol Wipe

   • Use rubbing alcohol or even high-proof drinking alcohol (like vodka).

   • Wipe affected areas, then wash with soap and water.

4. Baking Soda Paste

   • Mix baking soda with a little water into a paste.

   • Rub onto hands, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.

🚫 What not to do

• Don’t rely on water only—it makes the burn worse.

• Avoid vinegar—it doesn’t dissolve capsaicin and may irritate skin.

• Don’t rub with dry towels—you’ll just spread the oils.

• Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth until the burn is gone.

🧤 Prevention for next time

• Wear nitrile gloves when handling peppers (latex doesn’t block capsaicin well).

• Coat hands lightly with oil before chopping peppers—it creates a barrier.

• Wash knives and cutting boards immediately after use to avoid cross-contamination.