Doctor Warns Against Cheap Thai Massages After Tourist Wakes Up Covered in Red, Pus-Filled Boils

A US doctor has slammed Thailand’s shady back-alley Thai massage practices after a traveller paid for a rubdown in an alleyway, only to wake up the next morning covered in red, pus-filled boils.

Dr. Joe Whittington, an emergency physician from California, issued a strong warning to travellers after the man paid just USD5 (RM21) for a leg massage.

“What you see here is folliculitis”

In his TikTok video, Whittington revealed that the tourist had developed folliculitis (a painful skin infection caused by inflamed hair follicles) after what was supposed to be a relaxing Thai massage.

“You get a massage in a sketchy alleyway in Thailand and walk away feeling relaxed, then you wake up the next day with your legs looking like a teenager the night before prom. What you’re seeing here is folliculitis,” he said.

He further explained that the man likely contracted a Staphylococcus aureus infection, which is a nasty bacterium commonly spread through dirty hands, reused massage oils, or unwashed towels.

“It’s the perfect recipe for infection”

Whittington pointed out that folliculitis often appears as angry red bumps or pus-filled spots, and if left untreated, may require antibiotics.

Referring to the elderly masseuse seen in the video, he said,

“She’s masked up while rubbing you down with her biohazard hands. Open pores, sweaty legs, and alleyway massages, it’s the perfect recipe for infection.”

Later in the video, he urged travellers to be more cautious when choosing massage spots.

“If your massage table is made of concrete and there’s a moped parked next to it, maybe just stretch and call it a day.”

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