“Chili Burn”—A Case Report of Contact Dermatitis Caused by Capsicum Peppers

TL;DR

A young woman developed a rare skin reaction called 'chili burn' after touching chili peppers, which resolved on its own without specific treatment.

Contribution

This paper presents a new clinical case of chili-induced contact dermatitis with spontaneous resolution.

Findings

Contact dermatitis occurred after first and second exposure to chili peppers.

Symptoms included a burning sensation on the hands and around the mouth.

The condition resolved without medical intervention or long-term effects.

Abstract

Peppers (Capsicum spp.) represent not only a plant with a demonstrated history of diverse medicinal applications but also a species having non-neglectable adverse effects potential. “Chili burn” or Hunan hand syndrome represents a type of contact dermatitis rarely appearing after using chili peppers. Here, a case of “chili burn” with no specific treatments or sequelae is presented. A young woman presented with contact dermatitis after first- and second-time dermal exposure to a chili pepper. A strong burning sensation appeared shortly after on the hands and around the mouth after exposure to the plant. The patient applied non-specific measures (hand washing with mild soap and rinsing the affected areas with acidic solutions) with minor improvement; finally, the “chili burn” resolved itself. No other medicines were applied, and no consequences were recorded. Although rare, the use of chili pepper has the potential to cause contact dermatitis. The awareness of medical professionals of this entity should provide adequate diagnosis and treatment for patients.

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