I've 50 people on my porch and in my yard right now. . .

[stellanoir]

It's my sister in law's birthday party. Many of them are under 10.

Just thought I'd take a breather and thank everyone who contributed suggestions for the guacamole. It turned out great but after cooking with garlic for a very long time, for the first time ever, after cutting up 4 heads and then cutting up several limes, three of my finger tips felt as though they were on fire.

Never had that happen before. Has anyone else?

[joneschick]

1. I think it's the allecin in the garlic

I can do some research. My mom, many years ago "put up" a crop of banana peppers and spent the next day in tears. The doctor told her to soak her hands, so she did in ice water for the next day and a half. Any chemist around? Would baking soda help neutralize the chemical burn?

[stellanoir]

2. I'm not quite sure that it was the garlic alone.

Perhaps it was a chemical reaction with the citric acid in the lime juice. Not sure.

I washed my hands with Dawn dishwashing liquid which is reputed to be the best for oily residue (not trying to sound like a commercial but they even use it on birds caught in oil slicks) and then put fresh aloe on them, but funnily enough, the thing that soothed them the most was when I mushed the avocadoes.

Much better now though.

[realms]

3. Ever tried cutting a Jalapeno

My whole hand was aching for hours.