In a shocking product safety failure, the popular Mitchum deodorant brand has been forced to apologise after numerous women suffered severe burns and skin reactions from its antiperspirant, despite the same product carrying an explicit warning label for men.
A Tale of Two Warnings
The core of the controversy lies in a stark disparity between product labelling. The men's version of the Mitchum Clinical Antiperspirant clearly warns users to "stop use if rash or irritation occurs". Astonishingly, the women's version of the exact same product carried no such safety advisory, leaving female consumers unaware of the potential dangers.
Distressing Injuries Reported
Affected women have come forward with harrowing accounts of their injuries. Symptoms include:
- Severe burning sensations upon application
- Painful red rashes and blistering
- Peeling and damaged skin in the underarm area
- Long-lasting soreness and discomfort
One victim described the experience as feeling like her "underarms were on fire," while another was left with skin she compared to "raw chicken."
Company Response and Apology
Parent company Unilever, which owns the Mitchum brand, has issued a formal apology. A spokesperson stated: "We are aware that a small number of people have experienced an adverse reaction to our Mitchum Clinical product... We are sorry to anyone who has been affected by this."
The company has since updated the packaging for the women's product to include the same warning label present on the men's variant. They maintain that such reactions are rare and that consumer safety is their top priority.
What to Do If Affected
If you have experienced a reaction to Mitchum Clinical Antiperspirant, you are advised to:
- Discontinue use immediately.
- Consult a GP or pharmacist for treatment of the skin reaction.
- Report the incident directly to Unilever via their consumer care team.
- Consider reporting the reaction to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
This incident raises serious questions about product consistency, labelling regulations, and gender-based disparities in consumer safety information.
