I've done the pepper-slicing/eye-itch thing, too. But only once.

This thread makes me very grateful I didn't have an itch in the more personal place after slicing those peppers. Women don't have nearly as easy a time "soaking their junk in freezing cold water" unless we sit in a basin of it. Ouch.

Glad you're on the mend now! That hand-washing advice is definitely wise counsel, even for those who're not cutting peppers but are simply taking care of both culinary and bathroom business within the same time period.