Eczema Cream Sold on Amazon, Stores Nationwide Recalled Over Staph Infection Risk

Eczema patients—the very group this cream targets—are among those at high risk for staph infections.

Published: 5/13/2026, 11:54:07 PM EDT

Eczema Cream Sold on Amazon, Stores Nationwide Recalled Over Staph Infection Risk — MG217 Multi-symptom Treatment Cream & Skin Protectant Eczema Cream recalled on May 8, 2026 (FDA)

A Wisconsin company has recalled a popular eczema cream after learning it was contaminated with a bacteria capable of causing life-threatening infections.

Pharmacal, based in Jackson, Wisconsin, announced on May 8 that it was pulling one lot of its MG217 Multi-symptom Treatment Cream & Skin Protectant Eczema Cream—sold in 6-ounce tubes—after it tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, a common strain responsible for staph infections.

The affected lot, number 1024088, has an expiration date of November 2026. Consumers can find the lot number stamped on the crimped end of the tube. The product carries UPC code 012277051067 and product code 5106, according to a company announcement published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 12.

The cream was sold through wholesale channels; retail locations, including H-E-B Grocery stores; and online through Amazon.

The company said it has not received any reports of injury or illness tied to the recall as of the announcement date.

Still, health officials warned the contamination poses a serious hazard. According to the FDA notice, using the product "could result in a range of infections from localized to severe or life-threatening adverse events." The agency specifically cautioned patients with compromised immune systems or damaged skin—including those with open wounds, burns, or skin disorders—to be extra careful.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Staphylococcus aureus can spread from a simple skin wound into the bloodstream, heart, lungs, and bones. The bacteria can trigger conditions including sepsis, infective endocarditis, and bone infections, all of which can become life-threatening. Among the most dangerous potential complications are septic shock and toxic shock syndrome.

On the skin, staph infections can appear as boils, blisters, and sores. Affected areas may become red or darker than the surrounding skin, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, or filled with pus. If the infection spreads internally, symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, a rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, and shortness of breath.

Eczema patients—the very group this cream targets—are among those at high risk for staph infections. The clinic notes that people with eczema face a higher baseline risk.

Staph infections are typically treated with antibiotics, which can be applied as a topical cream, taken orally, or administered intravenously for serious cases.

Pharmacal said it is notifying distributors via email and arranging for the return of all recalled products. Consumers who have the affected cream are urged to stop using it immediately and discard it.

Anyone with questions can reach Pharmacal by phone at 800-558-6614 or by email at [email protected], Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. Consumers who have experienced any health issues they believe are connected to the product should contact a physician or healthcare provider, the company said.