More than 30 personal care products that are sold in the US and Puerto Rico are now included in DermaRite Industries’ recall. This expands the recall due to concerns regarding potential bacterial contamination experienced in some of the liquid products. The contamination is most serious regarding the risk of infections in patients that may be vulnerable due to existing medical conditions or age. Body washes, hand sanitizers, and even shampoos are among the impacted products. Users are urged to inspect their homes and stop using any recalled products right away.
What changed, what’s affected, and why it matters
The expanded action stems from a July recall that was subsequently expanded in late summer as additional lots and products came under review. The bacteria causing the outbreak, Burkholderia cepacia complex, loves moist environments and has a way of getting into water-based personal care products. When further testing turned up more concerns, brands expanded their recalls to cover a whole range of cleaners, creams, washes, and sanitizers.
Because soap and other rinse-off or leave-on products touch compromised skin, small lesions can become entry points. Healthy users may develop localized issues that usually stay limited. For those with weakened immune systems, the stakes go up, because infections may continue to spread, enter the blood stream, and lead to sepsis without prompt medical care and appropriate antibiotics.
Officials have instructed customers and distributors to check their stock and to follow the procedures in their facility to remove any impacted units. If you have any of these products, stop using it immediately, monitor for symptoms, and contact your doctor should you feel unwell. Given the distribution reached into all states in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, everyone should be vigilant, especially in shared care settings.
Health risks linked to contaminated soap
The bacteria group called Bcc appears in soil and water, which complicates control in wet manufacturing rooms. It may show resilience in preservatives and biofilms, so standard cleaning does not always eradicate it. Experts stress quality systems, validated sanitation, and environmental monitoring as practical layers of prevention in hygiene plants.
Symptoms can differ greatly. Some people show no signs at all. Others may experience fever, tiredness, or breathing problems. People with cystic fibrosis, chronic lung disease, recent surgery, or weak immune systems face higher risk. Doctors often check for a lasting low-grade fever after exposure. The Bcc bacteria can resist several antibiotics and may need a tailored treatment plan for each patient.
Local infections can arise where soap touches broken skin, yet severe outcomes center on vulnerable users. Bloodstream spread may cause sepsis, with chills, hypotension, or organ stress. Hospitals therefore monitor exposed patients, tighten isolation when needed, and trace product use logs to identify contacts who require evaluation.
Where it was distributed and who should act now
Shipments reached facilities and retailers across the United States, and they also reached Puerto Rico. That footprint means long-term-care sites, rehab centers, and home-health suppliers must check stock, even if purchases occurred months ago. Family caregivers should look through bathroom caddies, bedside kits, and travel bags for flagged labels.
Healthcare providers already received direction to quarantine and destroy affected units per each facility process. That step reduces ongoing exposure risk and supports clear documentation for audits. Because sanitizer and wash stations see frequent refills, teams should sanitize bottles and pumps, then replace with confirmed-safe lots before reopening dispensers.
Households can act too, since soap and cream jars move between rooms. People should stop using the products right away. Keep the containers sealed and place them in a bag until return or disposal instructions are given. Anyone who develops fever, fatigue, or cough after exposure, especially those with weakened immune systems, should contact a doctor and report the product name and lot number.
The full list now added, plus the original four
The following products are included in the expanded recall:
• 3-N-1
• 4-N-1
• Clean-N-Free
• DermaCerin
• DemaDaily
• DermaFungal
• DemaKlenz
• DermaMed
• DermaRain
• DermaSyn
• DermaVantage
• DermaVera
• Gel Rite
• Hand E Foam
• Lantiseptic
• LubriSilk
• PeriFresh
• PeriGuard
• Renew Hair and Body Wash
• Renew Dimethicone
• Renew Full Body Wash & Shampoo
• Renew Periprotect
• Renew Skin Repair
• San-E-Foam
• TotalBath
• TotalFoam
• UltraSure
• WhirlBath
Originally recalled items include:
• DermaKleen
• DermaSarra
• KleenFoam
• PeriGiene
Health officials recommend thorough and nationwide inspections, especially in shared-care settings such as hospitals and assisted living facilities. Keeping track matters because soap and sanitizer sometimes share brand stems with creams and gels. Facilities should reconcile purchasing and usage logs against these names, then record destruction or quarantine steps to complete internal compliance trails.
Context, timelines, and a broader recall landscape
The company’s expansion notice posted in late August referenced the recall’s July start and listed affected lots. Health agencies share such announcements as a public service while investigations continue. That cadence explains why lists can grow over weeks as labs analyze retains, environments, and supplier components across batches.
Other sectors also faced safety actions during this period. Ford announced a separate recall of 1.9 million vehicles over faulty rear-view cameras, a reminder that large-scale product corrections can arrive in waves, sometimes close together on the news cycle, yet for unrelated hazards and remedies.
Because families often skim headlines, clarity helps. A hygiene recall about soap and sanitizers involves potential infection risks and disposal steps; an auto recall focuses on inspection and replacement. Readers should therefore treat each recall as unique, follow the specific instructions, and keep record numbers for future reference.
What to do if you have the recalled soap at home or work
To avoid unintentional contact, stop using the product right away and then secure the container. Check the product’s name on the label and compare it to the aforementioned lists. If you develop symptoms, fever or unusual fatigue or breathing problems in susceptible patients, finder a Connection with your Healthcare Provider. Notify them regarding which product you administered and when you administered the product.
Facilities should examine inventories, isolate affected units, and document destruction per internal protocols. Staff should sanitize dispensers, replace refills with verified lots, and store backups in clean, dry areas. Because Bcc thrives in moisture, teams should dry surfaces thoroughly after cleaning so residue does not support bacterial survival in future cycles.
Keep purchase records and communications from distributors. Many vendors offer guidance and return options during active recalls. Because soap is a daily staple, teach family members and staff to read labels before use for the next few weeks, then resume normal routines once safe replacements arrive.
Practical next steps that reduce risk and restore confidence
Staying calm while acting fast protects the people most at risk. You can remove suspect items, clean dispensing points, and bring in safe alternatives without sacrificing hygiene. Because the situation now spans more than 30 names and categories, a simple checklist and shared reminders will keep everyone on track with soap safety.