Nearly four dozen lots of hand soap and lotion products made by DermaRite Industries are being voluntarily recalled after the company discovered contamination by potentially deadly bacteria, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
The bacteria in question, Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia), can spread into the bloodstream through cuts and cause life-threatening sepsis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
Here’s what you need to know about the recall.
Which products were affected?
According to DermaRite, the recalled products were distributed throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. They include multiple lots of four different items:
DermaKleen: an over-the-counter “antiseptic lotion soap with Vitamin E indicated for handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin.”
DermaSarra: an over-the-counter “external analgesic indicated for temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations due to dry skin, insect bites, detergents, sunburn.”
KleenFoam: an over-the-counter “antimicrobial foam soap with Aloe Vera indicated for handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin after changing diapers, after assisting ill people, or before contact with a person under medical care or treatment.”
PeriGiene: an over-the-counter “antiseptic cleanser indicated for use in the perineal area.”
Check the affected lot numbers and expirations dates here to see if you were potentially exposed to contaminated soap or lotion.
Has anyone gotten sick yet?
According to DermaRite’s voluntary recall notice, the company has not “received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.”
If exposed, how worried should you be?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, B. cepacia is “commonly found in soil and water” and “poses little medical risk to healthy people.” If the bacteria were to enter a healthy person’s cut, it would likely result in a local infection.
The problem is that DermaRite’s products can be used by immunocompromised people or those attending to them — and if you’re immunocompromised, a B. cepacia infection is more likely to spread into the bloodstream and trigger life-threatening sepsis.
According to the CDC, symptoms of a B. cepacia infection vary, “ranging from no symptoms to serious respiratory infections, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis or other chronic lung disease.” Fever and fatigue are early signs of infection.
DermaRite says it has “notified its distributors and customers by e-mail to immediately examine available inventory and destroy all affected products in accordance with each facility’s process.”
The company also urges consumers to contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using the affected products.
