Use google translate (I know it sucks but better than nothing) to ask him what the peppers are

I asked, apparently it came from the chinese store but he has no idea what the name is, so translation won't help :(

oh

Yeah, sounds like an allergy to me. And yeah, the Google translate would kinda help. Or you could take a pic on one of us is bound to know.

It could be when he cuts them and they're in the air, like how onions work. Could be spicy or something, which is what you're experiencing.

^^^^^^^^

That's what I'm thinking. I was just wondering if someone had dealt with something similar and it's just spiciness versus "this will make you die" sort of stuff

try having him slice them outside or use dried peppers because air born pepper particles can affect you same as eating the actual peper sometimes worse cuz it gets into your lungs

This is what I'm thinking. Cutting and cooking them makes the capsaicin airborne.

...Perhaps it's too spicy for you or used in a high concentration?

Happens to me around tons of garlic.

Crazy question here what part of China is your roommate from? As by any chance could he be cooking with Sichuan pepper or perhaps something like this?

I sounds like it could be an allergy. And do what  Tango_D said, post a pic of them in your scraps. someone is bound to know what they & have a doctor check you out for allergies.

there are two things i would consider what they are. 1. just a very aromatic spicy pepper, whose scent or whatever is irritating. and may well be just irritating you because you have an unaccustomed nose or throat to this particular pepper.

2. you do have an allergy to this pepper. Peppers can often be allergens, the irritant in the pepper oils end up being irritating to your immune system enough to the point your immune system might overreact.

The type of pepper is likely irrelevant, in as far as i know the active irritant in peppers is the same across the world, capsaicin. which are basically aromatic oils that react with your body's oral and nasal temperature senses tricking them into thinking something is hot. (dont quote me on any of this). As i said, as just about any organic compound can potentially be, capsaicin can cause intense responses from your immune system (allergies/anaphylaxis)


If you have any hint of difficulty breathing when your throat tightens, any sensation of swelling in the throat, tongue or nose this is likely allergic, and can be life threatening. Most allergies if left untreated only get worse over time and with every repeated exposure.

In the end the risk that it could be allergies, whether or not it is, and the risk that those allergies could be life threatening i would try very very hard to learn what that pepper is, and take that information to your doctor.

If you ever do suffer the very clear sensation of your throat, tongue, or lungs tightening, itchy skin, bumps/hives/rashes when you smell that pepper or after having eaten it, go to the ER immediately.

But, to try not to sound like im trying to make you nervous if you have eaten the pepper and have had none of these reactions its likely you arent allergic. Eating the pepper now, if you have not eaten it before is not at all a smart way to test if you have the allergy. but it could just be that the capsaicin oils in the air are just irritating your throat as it would if you ate it. If you are that sensitive to the pepper i would still probably avoid eating it as it is probably not going to be a fun experience even if you arent allergic. :)

If it's airborne irritation, you can chew gum. It works when you chop onions, so maybe that'd be helpful.

The *best* way to see if you've got an allergy is to maybe ask for one, find a spot on your skin you can see well and be unlikely to scratch, rub a bit of the pepper on your skin and see if it reacts. Sometimes we'll do similar with topical antibiotics at work to see if a person will tolerate them if they have a sensitivity.