FDA warns consumers about brand containing bacteria.

Could there be such a thing as a tainted hand sanitizer? There is now. According to a recent Food and Drug Administration advisory, skin products made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory have been found to be tainted. Healthcare providers and administrators should check for the following products in their offices and facilities:

• Citrushield Lotion

• Dermasentials DermaBarrier

• Dermassentials by Clarcon Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer

• Iron Fist Barrier Hand Treatment

• Skin Shield Restaurant

• Skin Shield Industrial

• Skin Shield Beauty Salon Lotion

• Total Skin Care Beauty

• Total Skin Care Work

Clarcon is voluntarily recalling some skin sanitizers and skin protectants marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of disease-causing bacteria found in the product during a recent inspection. Consumers and providers are being warned to not use any Clarcon products and to throw these products away in household refuse.

FDA analyses of several samples of Clarcon products revealed high levels of various bacteria, including some associated with unsanitary conditions. Some of these bacteria can cause opportunistic infections of the skin and underlying tissues. Such infections may need medical or surgical attention, and may result in permanent damage.   

Health care professionals and consumers may report serious adverse side effects to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch-online.htm .