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Hi Dave,
I am a chili pepper lover since a very young age (San Diegan). The hotter the better. I used to win money from the boys in high school for eating the hottest chilis. Chili Bliss. When I hit age 40, I became unable to tolerate chilis. It took me a long time to figure out, but with the help of a doctor, I found out that I capsicum/capsaicin intolerant. Even slight amounts now cause me to immediately double over in pain, weep (literally) and suffer greatly. It lasts until it causes diarrhea. My question is: Have you ever heard of this before? I can’t find anything online, and I thought that if anyone would have heard of this before, it would be you! I am wondering if there is anything I can take to make this not happen – a pill? a tonic? I am so sad now that I cannot eat chili peppers. I have lived with this for 8 years. I dream about chilis, and want to add them back into my life. I do have some auto-immune problems, but I don’t know if it could be related…. Any advice would be appreciated.
Elizabeth
Hello Elizabeth:
I have heard of similar conditions, mostly related to allergies. Some people are so sensitive that even touching a chile pod causes contact dermatitis, much like poison ivy does. I don’t think that there is any cure for capsaicin intolerance. I’m afraid that you are going to have to use other spices to subsitute for the chiles, namely black pepper, etc. See articles here:
http://www.fiery-foods.com/dave/herbie0201.html
http://www.fiery-foods.com/dave/herbie0801.html
Sorry to hear about your condition.
Dave
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