Problem with chili

I have no problem eating chili up to the Scoville heat of red Habanero and I often add a pinch of a milder red pepper flakes while cooking. What I do have and it is worsening with time and becoming worrisome is nearly instantaneous coughing when I cut into a hot pepper. I have taken to making major cuts with the pepper completely submerged under water, removing some seeds and ribs and then proceeding. I still cough until the chili is in the pot, usually for sauteeing. Does anyone have this ? Anything worse to come ? I am just amazed that the capsaicin is so quickly aerosolized and inhaled to cause the reaction which is not just upper airway but seems bronchial as well.
Came up last night while cutting a jalapeno which was only mildly hot to taste.

I suggest consulting your physician. Severe allergic reactions of this sort can be very dangerous.

-Paul W.

I noticed these type of changes as I aged, along with my tolerance for hot peppers. I suggest wearing a mask while cutting peppers (which we all have a supply of these days). Some days are better than others, and along with the coughing reaction comes some feeling of strangulation when eating them on occasion. Afraid it will not get better with time. I noticed this change about 5 years ago. Unfortunately, that feeling of throat irritation to the point of that strangulation experience also came with strong citrus as well. I've not found anything on the market that will mitigate these reactions. Good luck with yours. If you find anything that helps, please share.

[Jenise]

Somewhat similar, Christina. I'm a little susceptible, where I didn't used to be at all, to aerosol heat. I rarely use the very hot ones so it doesn't come up often, but it has, and in the milder cases I often sneeze a bit--even black pepper will make me sneeze. I have not considered this worrisome vs just another one of those new sensitivities that comes with aging.

Thanks Paul, Jo Ann and Jenise for pushing me to look into this a little further. It was simply observational before but concerns about possible worse effects led me to understand that the effect is not an allergy. Capsaicin induced cough has long been a tool for studying cough reactivity and in testing of anti tussive treatments. It does cause some measurable changes in airway function, although minor and different in those with asthma and can lead to sensitization. Interestingly, citric acid also induces the cough reflex by a different mechanism so Jo Ann you seem to have both mechanisms at play. I did not find any reference to dangerous outcome but clearly "dose" in the kitchen is far different than the carefully controlled doses in solution in the lab.
In any event I will now keep a mask in my odds and ends drawer in the kitchen. A great suggestion Jo Ann because I do notice that it has gotten slightly worse over the last few years.
One reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1849925/

I like Chile better than chili. If it is cold outside some people say as a description "well, it's not Argentina."

I like chiles used in chili.

Like JoAnn, as I get older I notice that my tolerance is fading. But I don't have such an instant reaction as you describe. However, I do think the biggest problem with Chili is people who put beans in it.

Like JoAnn, as I get older I notice that my tolerance is fading. But I don't have such an instant reaction as you describe. However, I do think the biggest problem with Chili is people who put beans in it.

Sounds Texan. I'm a rebel, I guess. I'll eat chili con carne either way. Same with pineapple on pizza. I eat shellfish. I eat pork. I eat beef. I eat meat and dairy together (think cheesesteak). No food prohibitions for me. Arrgghh.

[Jenise]

LOL, Robert--you know I almost never face a bowl of chili (whether w/ or w/o) and not think of you.

Does anyone have this ? Anything worse to come ? .

I have a similar reaction when SWMBO opens her wallet, but......

It sounds like you are developing an increasing sensitivity to the irritants in the peppers and I agree with the others that you should see an allergist sooner rather than later. Just having a reaction to irritants is usually a normal reaction but an escalating problem isn't. Let us know how you fare!