Sounds like your rinse is *very* strong. The oral rinse I use at work is 0.12% Chlorhexidine Gluconate. Doesn't burn at all at that strength. If anything, feels better. As for topical, anything stronger than 2% Chlorhexidine can be irritating. Especially to fresh open wounds/skin and the such. Surgical Scrub strength at my work is 2%.