o-Cresol or ortho-Cresol or 2-methylphenol is a constituent of tobacco smoke, and, like most other phenols, behaves as a skin irritant, causing a burning sensation when it comes in direct contact, or upon inhaling it in.
What is the biochemical reaction that causes our skin to produce such a reaction to orthocresol? Is there any correlation with orthocresol being an acidic compound? Can this be explained by +I effect or Hyperconjugation effect of the $\ce{-CH3}$ group?
Unlike Vinegar or Alcohol, which have different effects (vinegar feels like water to me, and alcohol has a cooling sensation), why do cresols and phenols in general have a stingy sensation on touching?