A MUM has vowed never to buy second-hand shoes again after erupting in a red itchy rash from a pair of £4 trainers.
Becca Maddon loved the chunky footwear from Vinted when it arrived – but fears it later gave her scabies.
The highly-contagious skin condition is caused by tiny mites burrowing into the skin and laying eggs.
The 29-year-old, from Watford in Hertfordshire, said: “I was terrified.”
Becca jumped on the bargain trainers in March last year after the sparkly design caught her eye on the online marketplace.
She said when they were delivered to her home, she stashed them on her shoe rack and then in a vacuum-sealed bag while she moved house.
But after wearing them for the first time to a family birthday party on September 4, she erupted in a severe rash on her feet and ankles.
Initially, she suspected it might be eczema. But when the spots started to spread up her legs, she called 111 and went to her GP.
The doctor blamed the health problem on either scabies or an allergic reaction to the trainers and prescribed her medicine to treat it.
The mention of scabies left Becca terrified that she would have an infestation, but thankfully no one else in her home was affected.
She said: “I’ve used the Vinted app for about three years to buy clothes and bags for myself and my son.
“I love it as there are so many sellers and you can always get great items on there, sometimes with the tags still on, for a much cheaper price.
“I wasn’t looking for any particular kind of pair of trainers. I just needed a pair and I’m always interested in glittery or funky shoes.
“They were chunky trainers with an iridescent design on them so when they go in the light they go a rainbow colour.
“When I woke up in the morning after wearing the shoes, I noticed a small red rash on my foot.
“Sometimes I get eczema on my face so I thought this was the same thing; I just put some of my eczema cream on my foot.
“But over the next two days the rash got worse. I took antihistamines and then began to notice the red spots rising up my legs.
“I was freaking out that my house may be filled with scabies but luckily no one in my family came up with any rashes.”
‘I WAS TERRIFIED’
Now, the medical secretary is urging people to wash pre-worn gear before wearing it.
Becca, who doesn’t blame Vinted or the seller for what happened and hasn’t written to either to complain, said: “The trainers didn’t smell weird or anything so I didn’t wash them before wearing them.
“But this has put me off buying second-hand shoes again, no matter how much I want a discount. I will never do it again.
“I will continue to buy clothes and bags, but I will make sure I disinfect them before wearing them.”
Vinted recommends sellers “wash or disinfect” clothes before advertising and any defects should be listed in the description.
Buyers may also wish to clean their purchases before wearing them “if necessary”, the company added.
A spokesperson said: “We’re sorry to hear of the member’s experience and hope that she is in better health now.
“In our listing rules, we ask members to check their items before listing, as any items put on sale should be clean.
“We recommend washing or disinfecting them in a way suitable to the item’s material.
“Any stains that don’t wash off, defects or other flaws must be indicated in the listing description.
“On receipt of an item, we also ask members to check their item thoroughly and report any issues to us, so we can assist promptly.
“Members may wish to wash their items before wearing if necessary.”
Can you get scabies from shoes?
SCABIES is a common skin condition and should be treated quickly.
It is spread by prolonged skin-to-skin contact, but can also be passed on by items of clothing, shoes, bedding or towels.
The most common symptoms are:
- Intense itching, especially at night
- A raised rash or spots
Scabies mites can live for as long as one to two months on a person.
Off a person, they do not usually survive more than 72 hours.
Scabies is very infectious. Everyone in your home needs to be treated at the same time, even if they aren’t displaying signs.
Treatment usually involves creams or lotions.
Source: NHS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention