What to do if you burn your throat with hot pepper

A throat burn is a violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane of the pharynx and part of the larynx as a result of exposure to aggressive liquids. This is a fairly common reason for seeking medical help.

Most often, this problem occurs among children, since, due to their curiosity, while playing, they can “taste” a dangerous substance. For adults, damage is also relevant. It can be obtained at home, at work, or when trying to commit suicide.

How can you burn your throat?

Substances such as:

• hot food, liquid or steam;
• alcohol and alcohol tinctures;
• acids in high concentration;
• ammonia;
• concentrated iodine solution;
• concentrated hydrogen peroxide;
• alkalis;
• liquids used for cleaning plumbing, washing floors, cleaning pipes;
• battery fluid;
• Lugol's solution.

Based on what caused the damage, there are two types of burns - thermal and chemical.

What to do if pepper juice gets in your eyes

When preparing dishes with pepper, it often happens that after washing your hands poorly, when rubbing your eyes, the substance capsaicin gets onto the mucous membrane, or the juice accidentally splashes into your eyes, which causes severe pain and burning.

It is very difficult to find special eye drops for such cases in your home medicine cabinet. Therefore, there are several traditional and effective methods to neutralize capsaicin and eliminate unpleasant sensations:

• It is necessary to steep the tea bag or tea leaves for 5 minutes to ensure a strong solution. Wipe the eye with a generously moistened cotton swab towards the inner corner of the eye.

• Using the same principle, you can prepare a tincture of chamomile or calendula. Pour into a large bowl so that you can put your head in there; your eye should be immersed in the prepared solution. You must try to open your eye and blink it, and also actively roll your eyeball.
• The most effective eye wash is cow's or goat's milk. It must be instilled using a special pipette. In this case, the milk should flow back when instilled, thereby washing away the burning substance.
• Everyone in their home pharmacy probably has a drug such as furatsilin, which is very popular in ophthalmology. To do this, you need to dissolve 1 tablet of furatsilin in cooled boiled water (strain), and rinse the eyes with a sterile pipette, instilling them into the conjunctival sac (or organize an eye bath). It’s even better if it’s injectable furatsilin, which doesn’t need to be diluted with water.
• After the procedure, it is necessary to instill eye drops that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Do not rub your eye with anything that can injure the mucous membrane. There is a high probability of a wound or scratch forming where infection can penetrate.

Symptoms of a burn to the throat and larynx

The clinical picture of injury consists of the following symptoms:

• acute sore throat;
• burning sensation;
• increased salivation;
• nausea;
• reflex vomiting;
• increase in body temperature;
• hoarseness of voice;
• reflex cough;
• difficulty breathing.

Objectively, enlargement and pain can be detected by palpation of regional lymph nodes. Upon examination, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx is hyperemic and swollen. With a chemical burn, there may be a characteristic odor from the oral cavity.

Baking soda

Baking soda is available for purchase at any grocery or hardware store. This compound is often used in the food industry.

In cooking, soda is added when preparing baked goods and desserts. Its small proportions are not prohibited by the Ministry of Health and, with a single use, are not capable of causing harm to human health.

But drinking soda even in small amounts with enviable regularity can cause a chemical burn to the oral cavity, mucous membranes of the esophagus and stomach. The latter suffers to a lesser extent, since the hydrochloric acid that is inside neutralizes the alkaline effect.

Expert opinion

Attention!

Excessive consumption of baking soda solution can lead to stomach ulcers.

There is a misconception that heartburn should be treated with a soda solution. But once in the stomach, alkali provokes the production of additional gastric juice and increased heartburn. It turns out to be a vicious circle.

Expert opinion

Advice!

Using soda for cosmetic purposes can lead to burns to the skin of the face and hands.

Severity

The severity of clinical symptoms directly depends on the severity of the injury received. In medical practice, there are three degrees of severity of burns to the mucous membrane of the throat:

1. First . The injury is limited by a violation of the integrity of the surface layers of the epithelium. The victim complains of moderate pain and a burning sensation. Hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane are objectively detected.
2. Second . At this degree the damage is more serious. Blisters covered with plaque form at the burn site. Body temperature is above 38 C, swallowing is impaired due to pain. 2-3 weeks after the onset of the disease, the films are rejected, and ulcers form in their place. During the healing process, scars appear there.
3. Third . The patient's condition is serious, breathing is most often impaired. Areas of damaged mucosa are necrotic. Subsequently, deep ulcers form in place of areas of necrosis, which, when healing, form scars that completely or partially disrupt the function of the throat.

How to remove burning sensation on the skin

If you handle hot pepper carelessly and get it or its juice on the skin, a burn will form. To alleviate the condition of the skin, it is necessary to use traditional methods of getting rid of burning sensation.

• Dairy products effectively eliminate pain caused by contact with hot peppers. This is explained by the fact that the substance casein, which is found in dairy products, reacts with capsaicin and neutralizes it. If your hand has been burned, then you need to lower it into a container of milk, where it is better to first add ice cubes. Or generously wipe other areas of the body with a cotton swab.

• An equally effective method would be to use regular petroleum jelly and vegetable oil, since the hot components of pepper dissolve under the influence of other oils.
• Baking soda must be diluted with water to a thick paste, and the mixture should be applied to the affected areas of the body. After drying, wash off the mask under running water.
• Alcohol will get rid of the “fire” on the skin; it acts on capsaicin as a solvent. Periodically wipe your face, hands and skin with a moistened cotton swab until discomfort is eliminated.

Urgent Care

The further outcome depends on how quickly help is provided to the victim. If help was absent or provided too late, the area and depth of the lesion may increase.

Regardless of what agent caused the burn, the patient must be provided with a supply of fresh air. Further actions should be aimed at identifying the etiological factor.

If the throat is burned as a result of swallowing a hot liquid or food, such as hot tea, the patient should be given a glass of cold water to drink. To reduce pain, it is advisable to give a 0.25% anesthetic solution (Novocaine or Lidocaine). You can apply cold.

The most dangerous thing is to burn your throat with chemicals or medications (for example, Lugol's solution). If a chemical burn of the throat and larynx or alcohol occurs, you must immediately determine the substance that caused the injury.

Damage caused by the acid is neutralized with sodium bicarbonate solution. Caused by alkalis - a weak solution of citric acid.

To reduce the effect of aggressive liquid, in case of any chemical burn, it is advisable to rinse the stomach 3-4 times.

After carrying out these activities, you must seek medical help. If the burn is superficial, a dentist or ENT specialist can help deal with it; if the injury is deep, it is more advisable to call an ambulance team who will help with transportation to a specialized hospital.

The doctor will determine the depth of damage to the mucous membrane and give recommendations for treatment. In severe cases, the patient requires hospitalization.

How to relieve the burning sensation from pepper

substances that neutralize capsaicin will help relieve the burning sensation from contact with chili peppers . These include:

1. Bleach , which converts capsaicin into a water-soluble salt. Bleach should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5 and immerse your hands in this solution, and then rinse well.
2. Alcohol dissolves caustic essential oils, so it makes sense to rub it or any alcohol-containing product (tonic, lotion) on the burn, and then rinse with running water.
3. Vegetable oil neutralizes the caustic essential oils of chili peppers. It is used to treat damaged skin to relieve the burning sensation. If the burn is on the mucous membrane, you just need to hold a spoonful of oil in your mouth.
4. Concentrated sugar syrup will also help with burning in the mouth and throat .

In general, capsaicin is a fat-soluble substance , so any foods rich in fat can help.

How to treat a burn

Recommendations for food intake are common to all degrees of burn severity. In order to avoid additional trauma, it is recommended to follow a special diet: food should be homogeneous and consumed cold. You should avoid eating salty, fried, smoked and spicy foods.

Treatment of first degree burns

In order to prevent infection, the oropharyngeal cavity is irrigated with Miramistin solution.

Gargling with anesthetic solutions will help relieve pain. Gargling with herbal decoctions has a good anti-inflammatory and calming effect, namely:

• chamomile;
• thyme;
• sage;
• calendula;
• oak bark.

Treatment at home is possible only for 1st degree burns.

Consuming milk and dairy products (cream, sour cream) is beneficial. Liquids should be at room temperature. Butter and vegetable oil, consumed 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day will have a beneficial effect on accelerating epithelization.

Also, for better regeneration, lubricating the affected areas with peach or sea buckthorn oil will have a good effect. The prognosis for this degree of damage is favorable; as a rule, the burn ceases to bother you after 7-10 days.

It is important to remember that treatment with traditional methods is only possible if the surface layers of the epithelium are damaged!

Treatment of burn injuries to the throat in children is carried out exclusively under the supervision of a specialist. The use of traditional medicine is absolutely unacceptable, as it can cause swelling and even worsen the condition.

Treatment 2 and 3 degrees

2nd and 3rd degree burns require hospitalization in a medical facility. Treatment tactics are selected individually, taking into account the characteristics of the burn. The basic regimen contains the following drugs:

• broad-spectrum antibiotics (to reduce the likelihood of a secondary bacterial infection);
• analgesic drugs (injectable forms and local irrigation);
• antihistamines (to reduce tissue swelling);
• sedatives and sedatives;
• antiseptic solutions and disinfectants;
• means for improving regeneration and accelerating epithelization (Solcoseryl, Methyluracil, Retinol);
• hormonal drugs;
• to reduce general intoxication of the body - polarizing solutions intravenously.

With deep lesions, the act of swallowing is usually impaired. Therefore, nutrition is provided with nutritional mixtures using a tube.

For 3rd degree burns, there is a high probability that surgical treatment will be required.

The healing time for deep burns depends on the depth and extent of the affected areas. In the best case, restoration of swallowing function will take 2-3 weeks.

Treatment

You can treat a burn from red pepper yourself if the degree of skin damage is mild . In all other cases, you should consult a doctor to exclude the development of complications.

After providing first aid, the wound must be treated with an antiseptic to prevent infection.

Every day the burn will have to be lubricated with antiseptic ointments - Rescuer, Levomekol or Fastin.

To speed up the process of skin regeneration, the wound surface should be treated with Panthenol (ointment or cream). And this will need to be done at least three times a day, preferably during dressing changes.

Possible complications

If treatment is not started on time or is not carried out at all, there is a huge chance of encountering complications:

• the occurrence of suffocation due to severe swelling of the mucous membrane;
• burn shock, collapse;
• if nerves are damaged, reflex cessation of breathing is possible;
• bleeding;
• loss of swallowing function.

All these consequences pose a direct danger to the life of the victim. That is why timely emergency assistance and referral to a specialist play a very important role.

Classification

Depending on the damaging factor, a throat burn is divided into two main groups:

1. A chemical burn of the larynx is provoked by alcohol or potent medications, for example, iodine, alcohol, tinctures. Such injury can be caused by specific substances: ethyl, acetone, acids and alkalis. There is a strong burning sensation, pain, and swelling.

1. Thermal burn of the larynx, formed due to too hot food or drink, or inhalation of steam. In this case, blisters appear on the mucous membrane, and general health worsens. A thermal burn of the larynx is a fairly mild injury, compared to chemical wounds, and with timely neutralization it quickly passes.

Precautions

To protect yourself and small children from burns, you need to follow some rules:

• It is unacceptable to store medicines, household chemicals and other aggressive liquids in the public domain in a room where there are children;
• all chemicals must be stored in labeled or labeled containers;
• Before offering food to a small child, you need to make sure that it is at the right temperature;
• it is necessary to observe safety precautions when working with liquids that can cause burns;
• Every person should know the technique of providing emergency care for burns.

A throat burn is a dangerous injury that can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, it is extremely important to follow preventive measures, be able to provide first aid and consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Why does pepper burn?

Capsaicin is an oily substance found in some varieties of hot peppers; it is this component that gives dishes a special, specific taste. During cooking, pepper juice can get on the skin of your hands, thereby instantly causing a burning sensation and redness, which is very difficult to neutralize.

The amount of this component in all varieties of pepper is different. Thus, the more capsaicin, the stronger the burn from contact with the skin. Some of the most popular hot peppers are chili pepper, red hot pepper, and cayenne pepper.