A therapeutic composition for inhibiting physiological responses elicited by exposure of skin to an irritant can be used to treat exposure to capsaicinoids or other chemical irritants. The therapeutic composition can include a carrier being present in an effective amount and form sufficient to be applied to skin and deliver active agents to the skin which has been previously exposed to a capsaicinoid. Also, the therapeutic composition can include a cooling agent in an effective amount within the carrier to provide a cooling sensation to the skin. Further, the therapeutic composition can include a capsaicin receptor antagonist in an effective amount within the carrier to inhibit calcium flux associated with activation of the capsaicin receptor by a capsaicinoid. The therapeutic composition can be part of a kit that also includes a cleansing composition, which is capable of cleaning and/or absorbing capsaicinoids from the skin.