User:Elyza Belandres/sandbox

Ukay ukay Health Risk

Ukay ukay or secondhand clothing is very popular in the Philippines. Filipinos are fond of buying clothes from wagwagan or ukay ukay, something that we should be bother of. A recent news from China said that smuggled secondhand clothes were confiscated by the Border Detachment Shenzhen's Public Security Bureau. These smuggled clothes came from morgues and garbage dumps in other countries and were believed to be exported after cleaning and repairing damages. This news has brought concerns to the health of those who shops in Wagwagan. Items from morgues and dumps can cause or transmit diseases to the buyer. Many diseases can be transmitted through body fluids such as saliva, blood, sweat, urine, semen, and vaginal discharge. Infections like vaginal and skin candidiasis, scabies, ring worm, body lice, chicken pox, gonorrhea can be acquired by wearing clothes that were previously used by infected person. Other diseases like hepatitis (type A,B,C,D&G) and dermatitis can be transmitted by using secondhand clothes.

To prevent these diseases from spreading, buyers should avoid fitting clothes. Try as much as possible to fit clothes without taking your own clothes off. When buying used clothes you should disinfect it first before wearing. Used clothes can caused itchiness or redness if not cleaned properly. In washing those clothes from ukay ukay, detergents may not be enough. Try to use antiseptics and warm water to disinfect it and as much as possible avoid using disinfectants that is harmful to the body. Some chemicals that is use as disinfectants are hazardous and can cause irritations and allergic reactions.