Hunan hand syndrome

Hunan hand syndrome (also known as "Chili burn"[1]) is a temporary, but very painful, cutaneous condition that commonly afflicts those who handle, prepare, or cook with fresh or roasted chili peppers.[1]. It was first described in an eponymous case report in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1981.[2]. It occurs when the phytochemical capsaisin, which can be present in very high concentrations in certain varieties of chili peppers, contacts cutaneous free nerve endings which are present in high density in the finger tips of its victims. This triggers the release substance P, which in turn causes a sensation of intense burning pain. Various treatments for Hunan Hand have been described, including soaking the affected fingers in lidocaine[2]; milk or vinegar[3]; or the use of local nerve blocks, gabapentin, or topical corticosteroids[4]. Hunan hand can be prevented by the simple expedient of wearing rubber gloves when handling chili peppers.