why does running your hands under cold water reduce the stinging in your eyes from cutting onions?

Question

I know it works, since I do it a lot, but I have no idea how the hands are connected to the eyes in this particular way.

In: 2

Answer 1

It doesn’t work because your hands are in cold water. You could put your hands in a bag and have the same effect. If your hands are under the faucet, you’re away from onions and by rinsing your hands the chemicals in the onion that make your eyes water are being diluted and carried away.