the serrano incident -or- a short primer on the exfoliating effects of oatmeal

hey kids-

here's a new lesson of the day for you!

serrano peppers may produce a burning sensation on the skin if...i dont know...it floats in the air after you cut it and it lands on you.

symptoms can be indicated by an acute burning sensation on the face, like how spicy things make your mouth burn...except on the face

exhibit A:

notice in this photo series how she has spread softened oatmeal (at the behest of her roomate) all over said burning area in order to alleviate the burning

note that she is probably not having as much fun as it may appear.  after all, her face was on fire.

this is a true story...

all i know is that i was cutting up a serrano for a curry recipe i found and a couple minutes later, this.

i have to say, rubbing soft oatmeal on your face is actually kind of amazing.  it smells all oaty and you want to eat it...except my snot was dripping in it from the whole burning face thing so i decided against eating it.

happy to say, the burning went away after like, 15 or 20 minutes.

so take notes, kids.  

this could be you someday.