Dr. Samuel Choudhury, a GP from Singapore, has recently shared a chilling story on his TikTok mini-series, “New Fear Unlocked,” emphasizing why beachgoers should avoid sitting or lying directly on the sand without a protective mat.
The cautionary tale revolves around US teenager Michael Dumas, who contracted hookworm parasites after being buried in sand by his friends.
‘That’s When The Nightmare Started’
In his video, Dr. Choudhury explained, “Do you like going to the beach? This is why I don’t like sitting or laying on the sand without a mat.”
He went on to narrate Michael’s ordeal, starting with him returning home after a day out with friends, only for things to take a sinister turn. “That’s when the nightmares started,” the doctor revealed.
Some friends buried Michael at the beach, and a few hours after returning home he started to feel itchy.
It Escalated Quickly
Michael initially brushed off the itchiness as an ear infection, but it soon escalated into more concerning symptoms.
“He started to feel more lethargic, and he started to develop rashes,” Dr. Choudhury explained. The rashes spread all over his legs, resulting in deep wounds on his feet.
The Disturbing Reason His Skin Got Infected
Michael was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with cutaneous larva migrans, a parasitic skin infection caused by hookworm larvae.
Dr. Choudhury emphasized that this particular hookworm was not the typical human variety, but one found in dogs. “Dogs that carry the hookworm transfer the worm to the sand when they poop,” he clarified.
How Did It Happen?
Stepping on contaminated soil allows the worm to penetrate the skin, where it remains instead of migrating to the intestines, causing skin-related issues.
The doctor also mentioned a method for finding the worm’s track under the skin.
Always Bring a Mat and Slippers
Given Michael’s full recovery with anti-parasitic medication, Dr. Choudhury issued a warning to all beachgoers: “Next time, just be careful of where you step, sit, or lay on a beach.
Bring a mat, some good slippers, and sunscreen, and you will be fine.”
Newfound Fears
The video has been viewed over 12.1 million views, with viewers expressing their shock and sharing their own unsettling encounters.
While some found validation for their concerns about sand cleanliness, others expressed newfound fears.
An Expert’s Advice
Dr. Choudhury responded to inquiries about bathing as a preventive measure, stating that the larvae can penetrate the skin within 30 minutes to six hours, limiting the effectiveness of bathing.
The cautionary tale serves as a reminder to beach enthusiasts to take precautions, protecting themselves from potential risks when enjoying sandy shores.
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The post Do You Always Sit on the Sand Without a Towel? Doctor Warns Beachgoers Why You Should Never Do It! first appeared on Career Step Up.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Damir Khabirov. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Tiktok
