A dermatologist in the US has warned tourists about the potential risks of using cheap massage services in Southeast Asia after a British tourist's seemingly harmless relaxation trip turned into a nightmare.
Dr Joe Whittington shared a shocking video in which a woman’s boyfriend was seen with painful, red bumps on his legs after spending $5 on an adult massage in a small alley in Thailand.
Things got worse when the man woke up the next morning with red, pus-filled blisters on his legs. These were the result of folliculitis, a painful skin condition caused by bacterial infection in the hair follicles.
"The massage is cheap, only $5, and the infected skin is free," Dr. Joe concluded.
The doctor suspected that the male tourist had been infected with Staphylococcus aureus – a type of bacteria that can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces.
This happens when massage therapists don’t keep their hands clean, use poor quality massage oils or use dirty towels that carry bacteria onto the skin. In the video, a massage therapist in Thailand is seen wearing a mask, but doctors warn that this does not prevent bacteria from spreading from bare hands to customers.
According to American doctors, most cases of mild folliculitis can heal on their own over time. However, some serious cases require medication such as antibiotics to relieve symptoms and treat the root cause.
Therefore, Dr. Joe advises that if tourists see cheap massage services lying haphazardly on the sidewalk, next to a motorbike, it is best to leave immediately.
The video has attracted hundreds of thousands of views, with many expressing concern about cheap massage services in Asia, including Thailand. However, the American expert asserted that this incident could happen anywhere if the massage area does not ensure hygiene conditions and lacks a license to practice.
In Thailand, the traditional massage service called Nuad Thai, is a type of massage combined with acupressure in Thailand and has become a service chosen by many tourists when traveling to the Land of Golden Temples.
Over the centuries, this type of practice is now recognized by UNESCO as a traditional industry in Thailand. In it, the staff use many techniques derived from Indian yoga.
The special feature of this service is that when getting a massage, visitors do not lie on a bed but on a cloth. The staff will apply oil to the body to perform the movements. When massaging, the staff will use both hands and feet to press on the acupuncture points and muscles.
The techniques often involve pulling, twisting, and contracting the muscles to stretch and relieve tension in the client's body.
This is a highly skilled technique. Massage establishments must be registered with the Thai Ministry of Health and employees must have a practice certificate.
Each massage session usually lasts from 45 to 90 minutes depending on the customer's needs. Prices vary depending on the service at each location. In particular, the average facility costs from 200 baht (161,000 VND) for 60 minutes.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/canh-bao-massage-gia-re-130000-donglan-co-the-bi-nhiem-trung-da-mung-mu-20250717205030644.htm
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