That trusty hand sanitizer we have all become so familiar with using at every turn contains chemicals that need to be mixed properly and in measured quantities in order to safely dilute them with each squirt. Whether you purchase commercially produced hand sanitizer or you make your own, the FDA has warned about the potential risks of skin burns you need to be aware of. Improper mixing. A seven-year-old child in Texas received second degree chemical burns to his face in June after a grocery store shopping cart was wiped down with improperly diluted hand sanitizer that made the product dangerous. The child came in contact with the solution while sitting in the shopping cart. Essential oil burns. These oils have been used to add a pleasing or relaxing aroma to everything from shampoo and room deodorizers to skincare products and yes, hand sanitizer. These oils are typically portrayed as harmless and even good for your wellbeing but they can cause chemical burns to skin. This reaction can occur based on the particular oil itself, like oregano oil, or by these oils merely coming into contact with ultraviolet light or heat. Despite not applying directly to your skin, diffusing essential oils can also cause burns if the vapor comes in contact with your skin, which then gets near a heat source. This is pretty easy to do given the diffusers propel the oil into the air. Depending upon whether they’re on the low or high end of the spectrum, second degree burns can take an average of one to three weeks to heal and are incredibly painful. Antibiotic ointment is needed to protect the open skin from infection and victims typically take pain medication during initial recovery. These burns are also known to leave behind permanent scarring.