What is Sepsis — the heart of the problem behind America’s hand soap recall, and how dangerous is it?

Several hand soap products sold across the U.S. and Puerto Rico have been voluntarily recalled. DermaRite Industries LLC said on August 8, 2025, that they are recalling some products. The reason is that the products have a harmful germ called Burkholderia cepacia. This germ can make people sick and cause serious infections, including Sepsis.

Sepsis is a dangerous blood infection that can be deadly if not treated fast. Burkholderia cepacia germ, allegedly found on the recalled soaps, is found naturally in water and soil but can spread between people. It is hard to treat because it resists many antibiotics, as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC. Symptoms of infection by this germ may include fever and feeling very tired (fatigue), as per the People report.

Which hand soaps are recalled?

The recalled products include DermaKleen lotion soaps, PeriGiene antiseptic, KleenFoam soap, DermaSarra, and others — over a dozen in total. DermaRite warned that while everyone could be affected, people with weak immune systems (immunosuppressed) are at the highest risk, as stated by the reports.


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For healthy people with small skin cuts, the infection might stay local (only on the skin).If someone’s immune system is weak, the bacteria can get into their blood and cause a serious illness called sepsis.

What should you do if you have these soaps?

As of August 8, DermaRite said no one has told them about any health problems from these soaps. They have told stores and customers to stop selling and using these soaps right away. People can check if their soap is part of the recall by looking for the name DermaRite and a lot number on the package.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a statement that anyone who has side effects from these soaps should contact a doctor right away. The FDA also asked people to report any problems to their MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, as reported by People’s report.

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The full list of recalled products is available online through official FDA or DermaRite websites. The recall affects soaps distributed widely across the United States and Puerto Rico. The FDA stresses that while healthy people might only get mild infections, immunocompromised individuals could develop life-threatening sepsis if infected, as per the WFMJ news report.

FAQs

Q1. What hand soaps are recalled because of bacteria?
Several DermaRite soaps like DermaKleen, PeriGiene, and KleenFoam are recalled for bacterial contamination.

Q2. How dangerous is the bacteria in recalled soaps?
The bacteria can cause serious infections and life-threatening sepsis, especially in people with weak immune systems.