Toothpaste For Burnt Fingers; Boiling Water For a Hot Tongue

aTwo of the most useful tips I've learnt from my time in Indonesia -

1) Don't go for the cold water only when you burn your fingers; go for the toothpaste too

2) Don't go for the banana/milk/cold water/yoghurt when you eat too much chili; go for freshly boiled water

Warning - The following advice applies strictly to MINOR household burns only - the type caused by accidentally touching a hot iron or fry pan. More serious burns should be treated in the appropriate manner including cold water and the seeking of swift medical attention.

1) Today I was baking potatoes in the oven. I thought it would be a good idea to move the tray. I grabbed it with the tips of three fingers and one thumb. I heard a sizzling sound - clearly audible - and then the pain sensors in my brain equated the sizzling with not the potatoes, but my fingers.

I ran to the bathroom, already in much pain. This is going to blister I thought, based on previous experience. I took the tube of toothpaste and applied a very generous dose to all fingers.

Long story short; 20 minutes later, pain vanished, a calming cool sensation replaces the sting of the heat. No blisters.

This isn't the first time. I've known this trick for about a decade. I first heard about it here in Indonesia, but teaching ESL in Australia brought confirmation of its effectiveness from Korean and Japanese students. A quick run under cold water initially prior to applying toothpaste also helps, but the main thing is to get the paste on ASAP.

It has to be the white paste as well, not the blue gel stuff.

There has to be a research idea in there somewhere.

2) Another trick I learnt in Indonesia when I accidentally chewed on a whole birds-eye chili (cabe rawit) while eating curry in a dark kitchen, thinking it was a piece of carrot. With tears of pain running down my face and everyone else in tears of laughter, I was immediately handed a glass of freshly boiled water. I took about 4 sips and instantly the pain was gone.

Since then, whenever I get an unbearably hot tongue, I immediately sip some hot water. The theory is, if after about 4 sips the pain isn't gone, then the water isn't hot enough.