Wearing secondhand clothes went horribly wrong for this man: Here's what happened

A man who wore thrifted clothes bought from a second-hand store is regretting his recent purchase. Sharing his ordeal on social media, the Tiktoker (@‌onenevertwhoo_one) said he got a viral skin infection from his never-washed thrifted clothes.

In a viral video, he explained how molluscum contagiosum, a viral skin infection, has led to small, raised bumps on his skin. While it's not clear how he really got infected with the clothes, he thinks it may be because his secondhand clothes were unwashed.

While the skin-coloured bumps due to molluscum contagiosum look quite scary, they are mostly harmless and painless, according to mayoclinic. If left untreated, they may resolve in 6 months to 2 years. The infection can spread from skin to skin contact or contact with the infected objects, which in this case may be clothes.

Symptoms of the skin condition

Symptoms often include raised, round, skin-colored bumps that are usually small, less than 1/4 inch in diameter and may have a tiny dent or dot at the center. These bumps can be itchy and pink, commonly appearing on the face, trunk, arms, or legs in children. In adults, if sexually transmitted, they may occur on the genitals, lower abdomen, or inner thighs.

Risks of unwashed clothes

Unwashed secondhand clothes can cause bacteria, fungi, parasitic and viral infections. Skin diseases such as dermatitis, scabies and fungal diseases can be transmitted by wearing unwashed second-hand clothes, according to Iranian Journal of Public Health.

It's not just thrifted clothes, but even new clothes are not safe to wear without washing. Use of chemicals like dyes, fabric softener, a stain-resistant or water-repellent coating, can cause irritation, redness or itching, on skin.

“Some dyes are not chemically bound to the fibers, meaning that they can migrate to the skin and cause dye-specific irritation or dermatitis,” Dr. Glenn Morrison, Ph.D., a professor of environmental sciences and engineering told Better Homes & Gardens.

Formaldehyde resin, a known carcinogen, is often used in wrinkle-free clothing like cotton shirts and work uniforms. If you wear such items for long periods, it’s important to wash them before first use.

Man's ordeal left netizens divided

Meanwhile, the video quickly went viral, clocking more than 1 million views. While some sympathised with the man's ordeal, some others were shocked wondering why he didn't wash his clothes before wearing them.

“Why don’t you wash your clothes first?” a user asked.

“I hope you get well soon and are as healthy as before," another one commented.

“New fear unlocked,” read a comment.

"I think it’s not just from the clothes," a user wrote on Instagram.