Old Spice Deodorant Responsible for Painful Rashes, Lawsuit Claims

A new consumer class action lawsuit has begun against the makers of Old Spice, amid numerous reports of a painful Old Spice deodorant rash.

Plaintiff Rodney Colley is the lead plaintiff in the Old Spice class action lawsuit against Procter & Gamble, the deodorant’s manufacturers. Colley says he relied on the content of Old Spice ads in choosing to buy and use Old Spice, and that he never had an adverse reaction to any other deodorant product before.

But when he switched to Old Spice deodorant, Colley immediately developed what he describes as “severe rashes, burning and discomfort” and had to immediately stop using the product. Colley included photographs of his clearly discolored skin in his Old Spice lawsuit.

Other Reports of Old Spice Deodorant Rash

Many Old Spice users who say they had experiences similar to Colley’s have posted photos of the results in online forums like Facebook or Consumer Affairs. Several of these photos show visible discoloration under the arm.

One user says she was diagnosed with a chemical burn after she sought treatment for her rash at an emergency room. Another reviewer said she could not lower her arm or wear sleeved shirts without pain, and that her symptoms seemed only to be getting worse. Many commenters call Procter & Gamble out for continuing to sell the product even after so many complaints of rash have been lodged.

Despite these complaints, a Procter & Gamble spokesperson insists that Old Spice deodorant is safe to use. While some users have developed rashes after using Old Spice deodorant, the spokesperson says, those persons are just a fraction of the total number of consumers using the product. He says that tens of millions of men use Old Spice deodorant every year without incident

When users do experience an adverse reaction, it’s likely to be only alcohol sensitivity, which is a problem not unique to Old Spice, the spokesperson says. He also says the reactions some consumers describe as “chemical burns” are not really burns at all.

In his Old Spice deodorant rash class action lawsuit, Colley says Procter & Gamble of ignoring repeated complaints about the effects of Old Spice. He accuses the company of having a pattern and practice of putting dangerous products on the market. He says the company is deliberately concealing information about the problem to preserve its sales and keep bringing in profits.

The Old Spice class action lawsuit lists 13 specific deodorants under the Old Spice brand, identifying these as potentially defective and dangerous products. Colley says that among these 13 products, “hundreds, if not thousands” of consumers have been harmed.

Colley is raising claims based on theories of defective manufacture, defective design, inadequate warnings or instruction, misrepresentation, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and violation of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. He seeks an award of damages for himself and each class member, plus punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs of litigation.

The Old Spice Deodorant Rash Class Action Lawsuit Colley v. Procter & Gamble is filed under Case No. 2:16-CV-00225 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.