A number of DermaRite products are under recall

Nationwide Recall Alert: Hand Soaps and Sanitizers Pulled From Shelves Over Bacteria That Can Cause Sepsis The items may contain bacteria that can lead to serious infections or life-threatening sepsis

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  • DermaRite has recalled several soaps, sanitizers, and skincare products in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
  • The items may contain Burkholderia cepacia complex, bacteria that can lead to serious infections or sepsis in immunocompromised people.
  • Check your medicine cabinet for the affected products, and discard them right away.

A number of soaps, sanitizers, and skincare products from DermaRite Industries have been recalled nationwide and in Puerto Rico, the Food and Drug Administration announced on Aug. 28.

The items may contain bacteria that can cause serious infections or life-threatening sepsis in people with compromised immune systems.

DermaRite products are sold through retailers such as Amazon and Sam's Club, as well as directly to healthcare providers and facilities.

Check your bathroom and medicine cabinet for the recalled items, especially if you have a weakened immune system or care for an immunocompromised patient or loved one.

Which Products Were Recalled?

DermaRite initially recalled several soaps in early August and later expanded the recall to the full list of products:

  • 4-N-1, a no-rinse wash cream
  • DermaCerin, a skin protectant moisturizing cream
  • DermaFungal, an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream
  • DermaKleen, an OTC healthcare antiseptic lotion soap with vitamin E
  • DermaMed, an OTC skin protectant
  • DermaSarra, an OTC external analgesic 
  • Gel Rite, an OTC instant gel hand sanitizer with vitamin E
  • Hand E Foam, an OTC foaming hand sanitizer with vitamin E
  • KleenFoam, an OTC antimicrobial foam soap with aloe vera
  • Lantiseptic, an OTC skin protectant
  • PeriGiene, an OTC antiseptic cleanser 
  • PeriGuard, an OTC skin protectant
  • Renew Dimethicone, an OTC skin protectant
  • Renew Periprotect, an OTC skin protectant
  • Renew Skin Repair, an OTC skin cream 
  • UltraSure, an OTC anti-perspirant and deodorant

The recall affects all lots of these items with an expiration date on or before August 2027. For more production information, go to the FDA's recall announcement.

Why Were The Items Recalled?

The recalled DermaRite products may be contaminated with the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc).

When Bcc is in skincare products, it can infect an open cut or wound. For healthy adults, this may result in a local skin infection.

But in people with weakened immune systems, Bcc can enter the bloodstream and cause a serious infection. This could lead to sepsis, the body's extreme reaction to an infection—affecting at least 1.7 million Americans every year.

Common sepsis symptoms include:

  • Clammy or sweaty skin
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Extreme pain or discomfort
  • Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold
  • High heart rate or weak pulse
  • Shortness of breath

What You Should Do

Look for the recalled products in your bathroom and medicine cabinet. If you have any of the items, throw them away immediately.

Talk to your doctor if you or a loved one experiences any problems related to the recalled products. If you recently received medical attention, you can also contact your healthcare provider to check if their facility used the recalled items.

Customers can reach out to DermaRite with any questions by phone at 888-943-5190 or via email at dermarite5186@sedgwick.com.

Edited by Health with a background in health, science, and investigative reporting. Previously, she wrote full time about parenting issues for the app Parent Lab. Before that, she worked as a reporter for National Geographic covering wildlife crime and exploitation." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Jani Hall Jani Hall Jani Hall is a news editor for Health with a background in health, science, and investigative reporting. Previously, she wrote full time about parenting issues for the app Parent Lab. Before that, she worked as a reporter for National Geographic covering wildlife crime and exploitation. learn more Read more:

This story originally appeared on: Health News - Author:Jenna Anderson