If you have cooked with fresh chillies, you will be familiar with problem of chilli juice remaining on your hands even if you wash repeatedly with soap and water. This substance which gives chillies their heat is called "capsaicin" and if you accidentally touch your face, eyes or other sensitive parts with chilli on your hands, it can be most painful!

There is a simple solution though; pour half a tablespoon of olive oil onto dry hands, and massage well into your palms and fingers. Then simply wash away the oil with soap and warm water.

This works because capsaicin dissolves readily in olive oil, which washes away with the soap and water.

Problem solved!

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