Skin infection risks from trying on second-hand clothes

Trying on clothes in second-hand stores or ordering used items from marketplaces carries risks of skin infections. The primary threats are fungal infections and parasites, particularly when testing garments that fit tightly against the body. Experts recommend washing all new and pre-owned clothing before the first wear. Fungal Infections and Parasites According to therapist Evgeny Tarasov, as reported by Podmoskovye Segodnya, contaminated clothing can transmit dermatophytes. These fungi cause ringworm, skin lesions, and some types of nail infections. The infection may remain asymptomatic for a period before manifesting as itching, peeling, and red or ring-shaped rashes. While less common, scabies can also be transmitted through textiles. The microscopic mite does not survive long outside the human body but can remain active in fabric fibers long enough to migrate to a new host. Tarasov notes that nocturnal itching on the wrists, elbows, or between fingers after a purchase is a critical indicator that requires a visit to a dermatologist rather than self-treatment with pharmacy ointments.