If you find that you cannot handle the heat after eating a chile pepper, try eating a dairy product such as milk, yogurt, sour cream or ice cream. Dairy products contain a chemical called caisen that fights the effects of the chile peppers capsicum by stripping it from it receptor site on the skin. Sugar can also help reduce the burn from a chile pepper. Drinking water will not stop the burn of a pepper because the oils in the pepper are not water soluble.
A compound called capsaicin, which is found mostly in a pepper's seeds and membrane, is responsible for the heat. Not only can this powerful compound make your tongue feel like it's on fire, it can also burn your skin and eyes. (You might want to wear disposible gloves when handling hot peppers and avoid any contact with your eyes. If you don't have any disposible gloves, you can place a plastic bag over your hands while handling the insides of a pepper.
