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Burned

December 19th, 2017 at 09:53 am

Did you know that garlic can actually give you such severe burns that you can lose sensation in that part of the skin and that it can blister and leave you permanently scarred? I found that out today the hard way. I was chopping up garlic, one of those huge pre-peeled bags from Costco and I was about halfway through when my skin started to burn. I had about ten left to do on that batch so I powered through. What I should have done was get up immediately and wash my hands with dish soap (the grease cutting kind).

Anyway, I did that when I finished and then looked up ways to take away the garlic sting. I kept coming across ways to take away pepper sting, but this was different. By the time I found something, I had my hand wrapped in a cold wash cloth and sitting on an ice pack.

So from the home remedies, the first thing I chose was aloe, which helped some, but not enough. Then I used vitamin E oil, which also helped some, but not enough. So then I covered my fingers in honey and stuck them in a glove, and let the three things work their magic together. The honey soothed it the most.

Several hours later, they still hurt, they are red and I am missing part of my finger prints, have a scar on one finger and a possible bubble blister on another. I am typing one-handed in case you were wondering. I may have permanent damage. This is a form of chemical burn, the chemical being one in garlic. I never knew this could happen.

The next time I do garlic for dehydrating it is going in the food processor or I am wearing gloves. This was worse than the time I roasted hot peppers and then touched my eyes, twice, within an hour. Anyway, I thought I'd pass it along. If you are going to be cutting up garlic for a long period of time, protect your hands. It's very painful and hot, but with all the things I used today it is down to a dull throb now.

I just hope tomorrow I will be able to zip up my own coat again. Today it was too painful. Judging from how much it has healed since the treatment, I think I will do another one in the morning. Probably just the raw honey this time, though. I think that is what actually did the trick.

You know, I like making my own garlic powder a lot, because you can't beat it for flavor and freshness, but it's going to be a long time before I make another batch myself. I think in future I will just get the big jar from Costco.

8 Responses to “Burned”

  1. Carol Says:
    1513683012

    Wow, I had no idea! Yes, I think you should stick to the jarred!

  2. creditcardfree Says:
    1513685503

    I didn't know this about garlic, but I know hot pepper can for sure! I hope you heal fast.

  3. Tabs Says:
    1513717335

    I never knew it could do that. Thanks for sharing!

  4. snafu Says:
    1513721241

    I too never realized garlic could do so much damage. Sorry you were burned. Thanks for the head's up

  5. PatientSaver Says:
    1513732896

    OMG, I had no idea that could happen! Are you sure you don't have allergies? I guess you wouldn't be buying and cutting it if you did. Gosh. That sounds terrible.

  6. CB in the City Says:
    1513772641

    Whoa! I always use the jarred garlic -- now I know why! Hope you heal quickly and you get your fingerprints back!

  7. Dido Says:
    1513783804

    Yikes. Hope you heal soon, and permanently!

  8. rob62521 Says:
    1513793234

    I had no idea. So sorry you had to suffer. Hope you are doing better.

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