A U.S. medical specialist warned travelers who receive massages at affordable prices in Southeast Asia and other countries. Recently, emergency medical specialist Joe Whittington shared the case of a man whose legs were severely inflamed after receiving a $5 massage in an alleyway in Thailand. In the video released by Dr. Whittington, the man’s legs were covered with a number of red blisters and pus-filled pus.
“What you see here is folliculitis,” Dr. Whittington said. “Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus penetrate and infect the hair follicles.” “This happens when bacteria enter the skin because of dirty hands, reused oil, or clean towels,” he said. “Sweaty legs, open pores, and alleyway massage are the cause.”
Regarding the image of a massage shop employee wearing a mask in the video, Dr. Whittington said, “Wearing a mask does not prevent bacteria from spreading in your hands,” and pointed out, “The employee is only wearing a mask while rubbing the skin with a biological risk hand.” He added, “These folliculitis may naturally improve over time, but some may require drug treatment such as antibiotics.”
Street massage shops in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand are popular with travelers due to their affordability and accessibility, but the use of massage oil and skin friction in hot weather can block pores and cause inflammation. Unclean foot baths, towels, and pillowcases can also be infection routes, so caution is needed.
There was a similar case in Korea. In July last year, a Korean male YouTuber who got a foot massage during a trip to Cambodia was found to have undergone surgery after receiving antibiotic treatment for a serious skin infection. The YouTuber said he got a foot massage, which costs 5 dollars per hour, at CMLip in Cambodia. After the massage, he developed symptoms of blisters around his ankle, which worsened and went to a dermatologist two days later. As antibiotic treatment did not improve, he was diagnosed with having to undergo surgery. Eventually, he underwent surgery to remove all inflammation and insert needles into the surgery to remove remaining inflammation.
In fact, when you receive a massage while traveling abroad, minimizing skin irritation helps prevent infection. It is recommended to avoid areas with wounds or irritation on the skin, and to avoid hair removal, shaving, and scrubbing the day before the procedure. In addition, massage oil can block pores and cause inflammation in hot and humid weather, so if you have sensitive skin, you should be more careful with using oil.
In addition, it is often difficult to check the hygiene status of the furniture used in the business with the naked eye, so it is recommended to choose a place with an orderly environment as much as possible. If symptoms such as inflammation, pain, and itching persist after using the massage parlour, you should seek medical attention from a dermatologist.
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
