I think it's time for some safety precautions when handling lye (sodium hydroxide). This stuff is nasty and very corrosive and it EATS SKIN, and other organics like leather and cotton (jeans). It is particularly nasty when mixed with water and heated. Proper protective clothing/equipment is an absolute must. Wear gloves, apron, and/or clothing made of butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, and/or polyethylene. Wear chemical splash goggles and face shield.
The following is a few excerpts from a Material Safety Data Sheet.
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Appearance: white. Danger! Corrosive. Ph 14. Causes eye and skin burns. Hygroscopic. May cause severe respiratory tract irritation with possible burns. May cause severe digestive tract irritation with possible burns.
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, mucous membranes.
Potential Health Effects
Eye: Causes eye burns. May cause chemical conjunctivitis and corneal damage.
Skin: Causes skin burns. May cause deep, penetrating ulcers of the skin. May cause skin rash (in milder cases), and cold and clammy skin with cyanosis or pale color.
Ingestion: May cause severe and permanent damage to the digestive tract. Causes gastrointestinal tract burns. May cause perforation of the digestive tract. Causes severe pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and shock. May cause corrosion and permanent tissue destruction of the esophagus and digestive tract. May cause systemic effects.
Inhalation: Irritation may lead to chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema. Causes severe irritation of upper respiratory tract with coughing, burns, breathing difficulty, and possible coma. Causes chemical burns to the respiratory tract.
Chronic: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. Effects may be delayed.
Personal Protective Equipment
Eyes: Wear chemical splash goggles and face shield.
Skin: Wear gloves, apron, and/or clothing made of butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, and/or polyethylene.
Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirator: A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134
Chemical Stability: Stable at room temperature in closed containers under normal storage and handling conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, contact with water, exposure to moist air or water, prolonged exposure to air.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials: Acids, water, flammable liquids, organic halogens, metals, aluminum, zinc, tin, leather, wool, nitromethane. (reacts violently with aluminum, evolves highly flammable hydrogen gas)
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Toxic fumes of sodium oxide.