This post is about wearing kitchen gloves while chopping jalapeño peppers, and why to wear them to prevent oil from burning skin and eyes.

wearing gloves and cutting peppers

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Do you need to wear gloves when cutting jalapenos? Yes! The oils can burn your skin, and you want to avoid getting any in your eyes!

Wearing Kitchen Gloves While Chopping Jalapeño Peppers

OUCH! if you’ve had this happen (hand raised!)

For a milder flavor, remove the seeds and ribs from each half.

Of course, if you want a spicier dish, leave the seeds and membranes intact.

How to Prevent Jalapeno Hands

The best cure for jalapeno hands is preventing it in the first place–wear gloves. Every time you handle hot peppers (such as when you’re making a jalapeno recipe, like Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Cheesy Jalapeño Poppers or Cheesy Baked Jalapeño Peppers, make sure you have a pair of gloves handy.

Then, thoroughly wash your hands in hot, soapy water when you’re done with the prep.


bowl of jalapeño peppers

What is a jalapeño pepper?

The jalapeño is a medium-sized chili pepper that has a warm, burning sensation when eaten. A mature jalapeño fruit is 2-3 1/2 inches (5-9 cm) long and is commonly picked and consumed while still green, but occasionally it is allowed to over-ripen and turn crimson red.

cutting a jalapeño pepper

When our friends came Labor Day weekend, Steph and I were canning together in the kitchen and she suggested that polyethylene (kitchen) gloves were a must when cooking with jalapeños.

Brilliant. No more weepy eyes when your hand accidentally touches your face after chopping these little rascals.

Or feeling their effect the next day and the next …

It’s a great kitchen tip!

Home Remedies to Try

There are many old wives’ cures that can provide relief if you didn’t wear gloves and need to fight the zingy pain. Try one (or a combination) of these remedies:

  • Oil: Slather your hands in olive or vegetable oil to help dissolve the capsaicin.
  • Dairy products: Place your hands in a bowl of cold milk or cover them with yogurt. The casein found in dairy can help wash the capsaicin away.
  • Hot, soapy water: Place your hands in hot, soapy water and gently scrub with a clean kitchen brush. Repeat until the pain subsides. 

While everyone’s body reacts differently, see what works for you!

why wear gloves when cutting peppers