JoeTube "Got Surgery After Getting a Massage in Southeast Asia"
A domestic travel YouTuber with 660,000 subscribers recently shared a story about receiving antibiotic treatment and undergoing surgery due to a severe skin infection after getting a foot massage in Cambodia, urging caution.
On the 14th, a video titled "I went to Southeast Asia, got a massage, and ended up having surgery. It's unbelievable" was uploaded on the YouTube channel 'JoeTube'. The video recorded 690,000 views within two days of its release. JoeTube received a foot massage in Siem Reap, Cambodia, costing $5 per hour (about 7,000 KRW).
A male YouTuber who visited Cambodia and received a foot massage at a low cost revealed a story of undergoing antibiotic treatment and surgery due to a severe skin infection. [Photo by YouTube]
Afterwards, he noticed a round blister on his ankle, which he initially took lightly and popped at home. However, the symptoms worsened as yellow pus accumulated in the area, leading him to visit a dermatologist. The dermatologist judged the inflammation to be severe and immediately treated it. The doctor squeezed out the inflamed area and administered three injections there. The YouTuber recalled, "I almost died then. It was so painful that I felt like I was losing consciousness."
He took medication for two weeks and visited the dermatologist three times for repeated treatments, but the symptoms did not improve. Later, upon visiting another dermatologist, he was advised that the condition was serious and recommended to visit a university hospital or a surgical department.
The surgeon diagnosed that surgery was necessary as soon as he saw the affected area. Under anesthesia, the inflammation was completely scraped out through surgery, and a needle was inserted to drain the remaining inflammation. Depending on the progress, a follow-up surgery might be required.
A YouTuber who developed an infection and underwent surgery after receiving a foot massage in Cambodia. [Photo by JoeTube]
JoeTube pointed out that in some massage shops at Southeast Asian tourist spots, employees do not properly wash their hands, and the massage oils used are not hygienically managed. This can allow bacteria to penetrate the skin through hair follicles, insect bites, or wounds, causing infections.
He said, "Many people will travel to Southeast Asia in the future, but don’t just look for the cheapest places to get a massage. You really need to be careful." He added, "I have no idea how much money I lost on hospital bills, medication, and transportation just trying to save a little on massage costs."
He continued, "Especially men with more body hair are vulnerable because bacteria can penetrate through pores," warning again, "Many people will travel to Southeast Asia, so don’t just seek out the cheapest massage places. You really need to be cautious."
A YouTuber who developed an infection and underwent surgery after receiving a foot massage in Cambodia. [Photo by JoeTube]
He also advised that if skin problems occur after traveling in Southeast Asia, self-treatment is a no-go and one should immediately visit a hospital. He said, "You shouldn’t take inflammation lightly. It can lead to sepsis, which is a serious condition. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t gone to the hospital and had surgery." He added, "Who would have thought that what looked like acne would turn out like this? If you have any issues with your body after returning from Southeast Asia, you must go to the hospital right away."
Meanwhile, cellulitis refers to an inflammatory disease caused by bacteria invading the tissue beneath the skin. Symptoms include erythema, heat sensation, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area. In the early stages of cellulitis, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, loss of appetite, and localized erythema (red spots) appear, with the erythema becoming more distinct and spreading to surrounding areas.
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