A young Indonesian man has issued a warning to fellow thrift shoppers after claiming he caught a rare skin infection from second-hand clothes.
TikToker @onenevertwhoo_one says he contracted molluscum contagiosum – a viral skin infection – after wearing pre-owned clothes without washing them first.
In a series of now-viral videos, the influencer has shown his face and neck covered in clusters of small, raised bumps as he shares his experience with followers.
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus and spreads through skin-to-skin contact, contaminated objects like towels – and, in some cases, sexual contact.
But in this instance, the TikToker, who has been recording his journey with the disease since August 2024, believes the infection came straight from dirty thrift store threads.
Dr Primrose Freestone, a senior lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester, backs up the warning – saying second-hand clothes are often ‘swimming in germs.’
She added that unwashed garments could carry bacteria, fungi, or viruses left behind by the previous wearer – including ones that cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and even fungal infections like athlete’s foot or ringworm.
‘Pathogens can cling to unwashed fabrics and infect anyone who wears them,’ she said.
TikToker @onenevertwhoo_one contracted molluscum contagiosum after wearing unwashed second-hand clothes
Molluscum contagiosum is especially dangerous for those with weakened immune systems and scratching the bumps can cause the virus to spread across the body.
Although the condition often clears on its own, it can last anywhere from six months to two years.
Topical medication including potassium hydroxide, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin can help speed up your recovery time.
The infection is caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus, which belongs to the poxvirus family.
When this virus enters the body, spots begin to appear on the skin. These can spread to other areas of the skin and create bumps in the infected areas.
Symptoms include raised, round, skin-colored or bumps typically smaller than six millimeters in diameter as well as itchy skin, according to Mayo Clinic.
Molluscum contagiosum is extremely common in the US and the exact rate of occurrence is unknown, as it resolves on its own.
On an average, molluscum contagiosum infects about six million American annually out of which most cases are found in children between the ages of one and 14.
Molluscum contagiosum is not a fatal disease and does not directly cause death.
It is most commonly spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
However, unclean clothing can also make it easier for the disease to spread.
In most cases it causes mild or no symptoms.
When this virus enters the body, spots begin to appear on the skin. These can spread to other areas of the skin and create bumps in the infected areas
Multiple videos show his skin – mostly his cheeks and chin – covered in small lumps as he talks to his followers
Dr Freestone said: ‘Pre-owned fashion is seen by many consumers as a cheaper, more environmentally friendly way to expand their wardrobe.
‘But as excited as you might be to wear your next secondhand purchase, it’s important you disinfect it properly first.
‘This is because clothing can actually be an important reservoir for many infectious diseases.’
Advising on how to clean your clothes, the expert suggested: ‘It’s recommended that you wash newly purchased secondhand clothes with detergent at a temperature of around 60°C,’ she said.
‘This will not only clean any dirt from the clothes, but will also remove germs and inactivate pathogens.
Pictured: Dr Primrose Freestone, a senior lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester said
‘Cold water will not work as well to get rid of pathogens within clothing.
‘So if a high-temperature wash isn’t possible, then use a laundry disinfectant to kill any germs present.’
Instead of simply throwing your second-hand clothes in with the rest of your laundry, Dr Freestone says that it’s best to keep the two separate.
‘You should try to initially wash secondhand clothes separately from regular laundry to reduce cross contamination of clothing,’ she added.
‘Soaking the secondhand clothing in a separate bowl of hand-hot (not boiling) water with antibacterial laundry detergent for two to three hours should eliminate any pathogens present. Follow with a regular machine wash.’
