A man in Anhui Province recently almost suffered disfigurement after using a paper towel from a restaurant to wipe his face while dining out. According to reports from Da Xiang News, the man went to a roadside eatery to enjoy some spicy hot pot. While eating and sweating a bit, he casually grabbed a paper towel placed on the table by the restaurant to wipe his face. After using it, he felt a slight itching sensation on his face, but didn’t pay much attention to it. It was only when he got home and looked in the mirror that he discovered that his face was significantly swollen and red, prompting him to seek medical help.
Medical professionals explained that the swelling on his skin was due to an allergic reaction. Following the doctor’s instructions, he applied medication for more than 10 days before his allergic symptoms gradually improved. After this incident, the man no longer dares to use paper towels provided by restaurants, and he reminded the public to be cautious and avoid contact with unclean items when going out to prevent a similar unfortunate transformation into a “pig head.”
According to previous reports by CCTV, some manufacturers of paper towels, in order to control costs, directly process recycled waste paper, paper scraps, and household garbage as raw materials. To enhance the appearance of the paper towels, a large amount of fluorescent whitening agents or industrial talcum powder are added. Prolonged exposure to these substandard paper towels can not only cause contact dermatitis but also potentially induce diseases such as leukemia and enteritis.
Doctors recommend that these types of paper towels, which are more commonly used in small restaurants and public restrooms, should be avoided as much as possible.