I have no problem using DMSO with my bare hands when treating horses. In fact, it makes my knuckles feel amazingly good. I also don't experience the garlic taste, smell funky, or have any other side effects. However, that's pretty atypical. Most of my friends would cringe when they'd see me just slather on a handful of DMSO. I've never gotten it anywhere other than my hands, so maybe it could burn me in other places. I've had some horses completely freak out when it's been applied to them in certain areas. I wouldn't mess around with DMSO the same way as I'd slather on typical muscle rubs for human use. You're tempting me to try that Wintercrest stuff on my joints as I've got the same injury in my ankle as horses get in their hocks, for which we'd rub on some DMSO after exercise.