If you develop inflammation and redness after touching red pepper, you may have contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is commonly the result of skin hypersensitivity to a substance. Because red pepper is not considered a common irritant, your doctor may recommend allergy testing to determine if your dermatitis is the result of a topical allergic reaction. Avoid touching red pepper until you can be seen by your physician.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is swelling of the skin that can develop into blisters and become very itchy. The condition typically occurs when you touch particular substances, such as cosmetics, weeds, poison ivy, metal or soap. The most common symptoms include a rash, dry patches, blisters, pain, tenderness and itching. PubMed Health states that if you have a history of allergies, you are at greater risk of developing this skin condition.
Allergic Cause
The second most common type of contact dermatitis is the result of a topical allergic reaction. When red pepper touches your skin, your immune system might react to the substance as if it were harmful. The body creates immunoglobulin E antibodies to fight the allergen, which results in histamine production. Histamine released in the skin will cause your blood vessels to dilate, which results in redness, inflammation and irritation. If you have allergic contact dermatitis from red pepper, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot eat it. Make an appointment with an allergist to determine the severity of the allergy.
Testing
The most effective way to determine whether or not you have a food allergy to red pepper is to undergo allergy testing. An allergist will take a small amount of red pepper juice and inject it under your skin. If your skin becomes red, bumpy or itchy after 15 to 30 minutes, you may need a blood test. The blood test uses a sample of your blood to determine if your body creates IgE antibodies when red pepper proteins are introduced into your blood sample, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Treatment
If you develop visual symptoms, such as redness or bumps, wash the affected area with water to remove any residue left on the skin. Once you rinse your skin, apply a corticosteroid lotion. An over-the-counter steroid cream, such as hydrocortisone may be used if you don't have a prescribed corticosteroid. Avoid any future contact with the red peppers.
