Minister Of Finance Purbaya Eradicates Used Clothes Mafia, Skin Doctor Reveals Thrifting Risk

Minister of Finance Purbaya (Photo: Instagram/@purbayayudhi_official)

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Purbaya Yudhi Sadive again emphasized his commitment to fighting the practice of importing used clothes (ballpres) which has been detrimental to the state.

He stressed that the government would not hesitate to take firm steps against anyone who tries to hinder or reject the policy of eradicating imports of illegal used clothing.

According to Purbaya, those who oppose this policy are suspected of being parties who have been involved in illegally importing used clothes. Therefore, the government will not tolerate those who try to hinder the enforcement of the rules.

Sementara itu, fenomenathrifting atau membeli pakaian bekas untuk dikenakan kembali kini tengah menjadi tren di kalangan anak muda.

Many do it for the sake of a sustainable lifestyle or just looking for unique goods at low prices. However, this habit actually needs to be watched out for because there is a potential danger behind it.

Not a few cases where used clothing users actually experience health problems, such as skin infections.

Used clothes that do not go through the cleaning process properly can become a hotbed of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, which can cause infectious skin diseases and non-infection disorders such as dermatitis.

Skin and Gender Specialist from FK-KMK UGM, dr. Adissa Tiara Yulinvia, Sp.DV., explained that skin disease transmission can occur due to direct contact between the skin and used clothes that are not really clean.

"Unclean used clothes can contain organisms that cause infection or substances that cause allergies or irritation when in direct contact with the skin of new users," he said, quoted from the official UGM website.

He added that if you have already been infected or have symptoms of skin disease, you should immediately go to a doctor, especially a dermatologist. But prevention is certainly much better than treatment.

For Thrifting fans, dr. Adissa recommends always washing used clothes before use. The trick, soak the clothes for 23 hours with warm water of about 60$C which has been mixed with detergents or disinfectants.

"Make sure to wash separately from other clothes. Then after washing and drying, it should be ironed," he said.

In addition, clothes should be stored in a dry place with low humidity, because the organisms that cause infection tend to easily survive in moist environments.

"Always make sure the cleanliness of the used clothes purchased and immediately check with the doctor if you have a complaint after wearing used clothes." he concluded.