Over-the-counter soap recalled for 'life-threatening sepsis' risk

Over a dozen soap and sanitizer products are being recalled because they could cause health complications.

DermaKleen lotion soaps, Perigiene antiseptic and KleenFoam soap are among those recalled, according to the Friday announcement by DermaRite Industries LLC, People reported.

The products were sold nationwide and in Puerto Rico, the manufacturer said in a news release. The full list of products recalled can be found on the release.

According to the “urgent recall,” the products were voluntarily recalled Friday due to a dangerous bacterial contamination that was detected called Burkholderia cepacia — a bacterium that “may result in serious and life-threatening infections,” People said.

Symptoms of an infection may include fever and fatigue.

The germs are found in water and soil and can spread from person to person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are difficult to treat due to their antimicrobial resistance, the CDC said.

Though everyone can be affected, DermaRite said immunosuppressed people are most vulnerable, according to People.

“In healthy individuals with minor skin lesions, the use of the product will more likely result in local infections, whereas in immunocompromised individuals, the infection is more likely to spread into the bloodstream, leading to life-threatening sepsis,” the company said.

DermaRite said it hadn’t received reports of any adverse reactions to the products listed in the recall as of Friday. The manufacturer said it informed distributors and customers of the urgency to discontinue the products, according to People.

Anyone with questions should email voluntary.action@dermarite.com, and any issues with the products should be reported to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online. People experiencing side effects should also contact their physician or health care provider.