Thrifting is not a very new concept, however it has gained quite some popularity over the recent years, especially for the young generation, thrifting or second hand clothing isn't really about being economical but more so about being environmental.
Fast Fashion has harmed the environment beyond repair and Generation Z has taken upon themselves the responsibility to make it right. Moreover thrifted clothes have also become a fashion statement because what was fashionable years ago, is making a comeback and what better way to get authentic items than to go thrift shopping.
Rapid market expansion: India’s second-hand clothing sector was valued at USD 3 billion in 2023 and is expected to exceed USD 9 billion by 2032, growing at a strong CAGR of 13.04%, reflecting rising consumer acceptance of pre-owned fashion.
Key growth drivers: The surge is fueled by greater awareness of sustainability, the need for affordable fashion alternatives, and the rise of online resale and thrift platforms that make buying and selling pre-loved clothing simple and accessible.
Youth-led movement: Gen Z and younger shoppers are driving the thrifting culture, viewing it as a way to express individuality, support circular fashion, and reduce textile waste.
Hygiene concerns rising: However, the growing popularity of thrifted apparel has also raised public concerns about cleanliness, hygiene, and safety, especially when garments are sourced from unknown or unsanitized locations.
Balancing benefits with caution: While thrifting offers significant economic savings and environmental benefits, experts emphasize the importance of proper cleaning and care to avoid potential health risks and ensure a safe, sustainable thrifting experience.
MedBound Times connected with Muskan Yadav, a 23 year old resident of Delhi, about her thoughts on the thrifting business and thrifted articles.
Avoids flea market thrifting: Muskan says she would never shop at flea markets because many vendors source clothes from donation channels.
Donation chain concern: She explains that her family donates old clothes to their house help, who then sells them to small vendors for profit.
Used clothes resold: Muskan highlights that these items are essentially previously worn clothes being resold cheaply.
Consumer trend: She finds it surprising that people are eager to buy these used clothes at lower prices.
Second-hand clothing is increasingly popular for its affordability and environmental benefits, but a recent study published in the Iranian Journal of Public Health warns of potential health risks.
According to the research, thrifted garments—especially those that are unwashed—can harbor parasites such as lice (Pediculus), scabies mites (Sarcoptes scabiei), and other ectoparasites. Wearing contaminated clothing may lead to skin conditions including dermatitis, scabies, and fungal infections.
Recently, viral social media cases have also drawn attention to such risks. In one case, a man reportedly developed molluscum contagiosum, a contagious viral skin infection, after wearing unwashed clothes purchased online. The infection is caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus, which produces small, dome-shaped bumps on the skin. The virus spreads primarily through direct skin contact but can also be transmitted through contaminated fabrics, towels, or shared personal items. While the infection often resolves on its own within 6 to 12 months, treatment options such as cantharidin application, cryotherapy, or topical agents may be prescribed in persistent cases. ³ ⁴
Similarly, another reported case involved a woman who developed hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) after prolonged contact with unclean thrift bins. HFMD is caused by coxsackieviruses and spreads through contact with nasal secretions, saliva, or contaminated surfaces. The illness leads to fever, mouth sores, and rashes on the hands and feet. While it typically resolves within a week, treatment focuses on supportive care such as hydration, pain relief, and rest. ¹⁰ ¹¹
Experts like Rebecca Pinto, Physical Therapist and Dr. Dana Figura, DPM, AACFAS, note in their respective social media videos that both viruses can survive for hours on contaminated fabrics or surfaces, underlining the need to properly wash or disinfect all pre-owned clothing before use.
Sinjory Bose, a regular thrift shopper shared her advise:
Start with style: She first checks if the piece fits her aesthetic, then the size.
Fit is flexible: If it doesn’t fit perfectly, she tailors or repurposes it into something new.
Prioritizes hygiene: Always washes thrifted clothes according to fabric type using mild detergent and hot or cold water as needed.
Sun-drying routine: Prefers drying clothes in sunlight for freshness and natural disinfection.
Long-lasting wear: Proper care helps thrifted clothes last longer.
Thrifting philosophy: A mix of creativity, cleanliness, and sustainability — not just budget-friendly shopping.
A study published in the Iranian Journal of Public Health reports that parasites can survive on fabrics due to residual moisture, body oils, and improper storage conditions.
Experts recommend:
Thoroughly washing second-hand clothes in hot water
Using disinfecting additives or solutions when necessary
Ironing or steaming garments to kill remaining microorganisms.2
Clothing can carry more than just style—it can also harbor a hidden world of microbes. A recent study found that the microbes from our skin and surroundings transfer onto fabrics, creating unique microbial “fingerprints” that vary between individuals and between worn and unworn garments. Environmental factors, such as storage conditions, further influence these microbial communities.
This has direct relevance for thrifted or second-hand clothing, which may carry microbial traces from previous owners. While certain microbes could even serve as markers of whether clothing has been worn, standard DNA techniques struggle to recover human genetic material, highlighting both the potential risks and scientific limitations.
For those exploring thrift shopping, this research underscores the importance of proper washing and handling of second-hand garments to minimize exposure to lingering microbes. 3
Health experts recommend washing newly purchased or thrifted clothes in hot water and detergent, drying them under sunlight, or steam pressing to eliminate viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Such basic steps can significantly lower the risk of skin infections like molluscum contagiosum or Coxsackie virus–related conditions.³ ¹²
Credence Research. India Second-Hand Apparel Market Size, Growth & Forecast 2032. Report ID 43151. Published October 2025. https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/india-second-hand-apparel-market.
Rakhshanpour, Arash, Mohammad Reza Youssefi, Hamid Reza Hatamzadeh, and Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat. “Second-Hand Clothes, a New Threat for Acquiring Parasitic Infection.” Iranian Journal of Public Health 50, no. 1 (2021): 163–168. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8213614/.
“Molluscum Contagiosum.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed October 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/molluscum-contagiosum/about/index.html.
“Molluscum Contagiosum: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed October 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12175-molluscum-contagiosum.
“Safely Treating Molluscum, a Common Skin Condition.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed October 2025. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safely-treating-molluscum-common-skin-condition.
“Molluscum Contagiosum – NHS.” NHS UK. Accessed October 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/molluscum-contagiosum/.
“Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.” Mayo Clinic. Accessed October 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353041.
“What to Do if Your Child Has Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.” Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Accessed October 2025. https://www.chop.edu/news/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease-what-you-need-know.
“Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease.” Chicago Health Alert Network. Accessed October 2025. https://www.chicagohan.org/documents/14171/2086811/HFMD+One+Pager+10.15.24.pdf.
D. Zhang et al. “Hand-Washing: The Main Strategy for Avoiding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.” PMC (2016). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4924067/.
Procopio, N., M.-Ching Huang, Tasha Goodwin, Norman G. Hubble, Aviv Bergman, and Jo Handelsman. “Transferability of Human and Environmental Microbiome via Clothing.” mSystems 8, no. 5 (2023). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10970523/.
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