Recalled Wound Care Soaps Pose Sepsis Risk, FDA Says

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of soaps and lotions commonly used in healthcare settings owing to contamination with a potentially deadly bacteria called Burkholderia cepecia complex.

These products are commonly used by people with compromised immune systems and those who take care of them.

In healthy people, broken skin exposed to B. cepecia would likely result in local infections, but for people with lowered immunity, the infection could spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which can be fatal.

What Is B. Cepecia?

B. cepecia are a group of bacteria usually found in water and soil. Infection with B. cepecia may cause no symptoms, but for some, especially people with cystic fibrosis and other chronic lung conditions, it can cause serious respiratory infections. Fever and fatigue are also possible symptoms.

Infection with B. cepecia can spread between people, and it can be difficult to treat because these species are resistant to antibiotics.

Which Soaps and Lotions Are Recalled?

DermaRite Industries is voluntarily recalling individual lots of the following products:

DermaKleen, a healthcare antiseptic lotion soap. Recalled lots came in 800 mL or 1,000 mL bags with expiration dates between 7/2025 and 2/2027.
DermaSarra, an over-the-counter anti-itch lotion. The recalled lotion comes in a 7.5 ounce (oz) tube with the expiration date 2/2026.
KleenFoam, a healthcare antimicrobial foam soap. Recalled lots came in 1,000 mL bags with expiration dates between 8/2025 and 1/2027.
PeriGiene, an antiseptic cleanser for use in the perineal area (the space between the anus and the genitalia). Recalled lots came in 7.5 oz tubes with expiration dates between 11/2025 and 1/2027.

So far, DermaRite has not received any reports of infections related to the recalled products. The company has notified its distributors and customers about the recall, and instructed them to destroy the recalled products.

You should contact your healthcare provider if you suspect you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to using any of the recalled products.