A Virginia man has filed a class-action lawsuit against the makers of Old Spice deodorant claiming it causes "burning, rashes, irritation and other discomfort."
Rodney Colley from Alexandria is listed as the plaintiff against Proctor and Gamble, the manufacturer.
In the complaint, a photograph of Colley's armpit shows what appears to be a severe rash. The complaint also lists 13 of P&G's Old Spice care products.
It also included seven negative online reviews from people across the country.
The class-action suit was filed on behalf of “All persons who purchased for their own use Old Spice deodorant which was manufactured, produced, or supplied by Defendant between 2012 to the present."
The suit seeks $5 million in damages.
"The problem is rampant, and rather than acknowledge the serious issue, Defendant is concealing it in order to continue selling the product and reaping windfall profits," the lawsuit reads.
P&G spokesperson Damon Jones told the Cincinnati Inquirer the problem is not unique to Old Spice products, saying the injuries are skin reactions. Jones said the products are safe and the issues are caused by a range of factors or ingredients, like alcohol or fragrance.
“We go to great lengths to ensure our products are safe to use, and tens of millions of men use this product with confidence and without incident every year," Jones said in a statement. "A small number of men may experience irritation due to alcohol sensitivity, a common ingredient across virtually all deodorant products. For men who have experienced a reaction to a deodorant, an antiperspirant may be a better option because they have a different formulation."
