When it comes to things like shampoo, body wash, and hand soap, we put our trust in the major corporations we buy from that we’ll be purchasing a product that’s safe, effective and will eliminate the germs that can get us or our loved ones sick—but what happens when the products intended to keep us from getting sick are the ones that are actually making us sick? On August 8, DermaRite Industries LLC issued a voluntary recall of several of their soap products that have been contaminated with a bacteria that could potentially lead to side effects as serious as sepsis. These products have been sold across the United States and Puerto Rico, with the U.S. Sun reporting such products being sold at popular retailers like Walmart. Here, everything to know about the Walmart hand soap recall.
Why Walmart’s soap was recalled
DermaRite’s August 8 press statement revealed that a handful of their products were recalled due to the presence of Burkholderia cepecia—a type of bacteria that can lead to life-threatening side effects. Burkholderia cepecia is often found in soil and water, and the risks posed by its presence in these products are prominent.
What are the potential risks of using the contaminated soap?
In healthy folks, the risks are less significant but still very much existent. As stated by the company, healthy individuals who use these products on skin with open cuts or wounds could experience local infections. However, for those who are immunocompromised, there is a greater chance of the infection spreading into the bloodstream, which could lead to complications as serious and life-threatening as sepsis.
Complete list of recalled DermaRite soap products
Several of DermaRite’s products were included in this recall, including DermaKleen, an antiseptic lotion hand soap intended to eliminate bacteria, DermaSarra, an analgesic meant to aid itching skin caused by things like bug bites or sunburn, KleenFoam, an antimicrobial hand soap and PeriGiene, an antiseptic cleanser intended for the perineal area. For full details on the recalled product,s including reorder numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates, see the press statement here.
What to do if you think you used the contaminated soap
According to DermaRite’s statement, the company has notified its distributors and customers to look at their inventory and destroy any products affected by the recall. Think you might be experiencing side effects related to this product? Contact your healthcare provider and inform them of the symptoms you are experiencing. At this point in time, there have yet to be any reports of adverse reactions related to this recall, but if you experience such a thing, it can be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. If you have questions related to this recall, feel free to reach out to Mary Goldberg at 973-569-9000 x104, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, or email voluntary.action@dermarite.com. As always, remain vigilant with the products you purchase and consume.
