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People have been warned not to wear second-hand clothing before washing it for a 'disgusting' reason and, well, it's safe to say we'll never look at those vintage jeans in the same way again.
In a viral TikTok video, @homienaledi explains that she recently discovered you can contract scabies from thrifted garments - and her followers are ‘scared’.
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In a clip that has amassed over 12,000 views, she says: “I just learned that you can get scabies from second hand clothing that is unwashed and this is news to me. I definitely wear my clothing that I get from thrift stores right after buying it, I don’t wash it.”
“Make sure to wash your second hand clothing before you put it on because you might get scabies.”
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In the comments section, TikTokers rushed to share their horror stories after buying vintage and second-hand buys.
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“Came to this video after I just got scabies from a knit cardigan I DIDN'T WASH. It was a horrible rash by the way, worse than poison oak,” one person wrote.
Another said they picked up the condition as a child and they have only just realised why. “Omfg I got scabies in grade 12 during the school play, I couldn't figure out how I got it… but all the clothes were thrifted!”
A third said: “I swear I got lice from my last thrift adventure. I’m never trying anything on again and washing anything I buy ASAP.”
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But some commenters have pointed out that you should always wash clothes no matter where they’ve come from, as you can contract scabies from brand new clothing and even trying garments on in-store.
“As someone that worked for years in retail, you should even wash brand new clothes before wearing,” they wrote. “It gets SOOO dusty in the warehouse/storage and you never know who tried it on in store.”
What are scabies?
According to the NHS, scabies are tiny mites that burrow into the skin usually through your hands. They are spread by close contact and symptoms include itching, rashes, and the aggravation of existing skin conditions such as eczema. Unlike bed bugs, they are naked to the human eye, and require medical treatment. Contrary to popular belief, they are not caused by poor hygiene.
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According to the NHS, scabies is on the rise. To put it into perspective, 3,689 cases of the skin infestation were diagnosed in hospitals in England in the last year to April - that's up from 2,128 in the previous 12 months. So, how can you treat and prevent the common skin condition?
Can you really catch scabies from clothes?
According to the NHS, it is possible to get scabies from trying on clothes (although rare). "Mites can only survive outside of the human body for 24 to 36 hours,' NHS Inform reads. "This makes it possible to be infected by contaminated clothes, towels or bed linen. But, it’s rare for someone to be infected this way."
How to get rid of scabies and bed bugs on your clothes
There are lots of differences between bed bugs and scabies, but they can both be effectively eradicated from the home in a similar way.
It’s widely recommended that you wash all bedding and clothing at 60 degrees or higher if you detect bed bugs or scabies. If you have scabies, any clothing that cannot be washed should be left in a sealed plastic bag for three days until the mites die.
Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the mattress and any soft surfaces - and make sure to empty it once you have cleaned the home.
Bestselling products to get rid of scabies and bed bugs
In the comments section of the viral TikTok video, many social media users have suggested using Lysol Sanitiser to get rid of scabies. Available on Amazon for £23.99, the detergent is designed to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and it has been allegedly used by customers to get rid of bed bugs - although it's important to note, this is not stated in the product description.
One shopper wrote, “Bed bugs went away. Really good sanitiser, I had a rash and had to wash all my clothes using Lysol! It went away!”
Decimex Pads are also a popular way to get rid of scabies and bed bugs. All you need to do is place the pads under your mattress and they will allegedly work to prevent and eliminate dust mites, bed bugs, and other insects for up to 10 weeks.
The product has received thousands of rave reviews on Amazon. One shopper said: “Makes us feel cleaner knowing we are removing bed bugs, scabies and fleas if we have any.” It's sure worth a try...
Danielle Fowler