TikTok creator describes alleged scabies infection while working at Lush
TikTok creator @kaylessoto has sparked discussion after describing a negative experience working at a Lush cosmetics store and claiming that employees were not allowed to wear gloves. In a video posted on Nov. 11, the creator said they contracted scabies from a customer while carrying out duties that involved direct contact with shoppers.
As of publication, the video had received 64,000 views and 5,966 likes. Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by mites that burrow into the outer layer of the skin. The condition can cause intense itching and a rash.
Creator says customer demonstrations raised concerns about infection
According to @kaylessoto, they became concerned about contracting scabies because their job required them to interact with customers using their hands. The creator said they reported the suspected infection to their manager, who reportedly refused to believe that it was possible to contract the condition at work.
The creator said customer demonstrations were part of the reason they believed exposure could have occurred. “I said yes, it is possible. Why? Because we have to do those demonstrations on customers, like if they want to use a bath bomb or whatever,” the user said.
After visiting a doctor, the creator said they were asked where they worked. The doctor reportedly concluded that the creator had scabies after learning they worked at Lush and advised them to apply an ointment across their entire body for a week to kill the mites.
The creator also said they asked their manager whether they could continue working while wearing gloves. According to the account, the manager declined and allegedly accused the creator of lying.
Other users share workplace and Lush experiences
The video prompted users to express sympathy and share their own experiences in customer-facing workplaces. One commenter described wearing gloves while washing hair at a blowout salon and wrote, “I work at a blowout salon and wear gloves to wash hair,” before adding, “U can catch sooooo many things from people. My coworker contracted warts.”
Another user said, “I had a group interview there when I was 19, and they never picked me. I never shopped there since then.” A third commenter, who identified themselves as a current Lush employee, wrote, “As a Lush employee rn, I am always TERRIFIED of something like this happening. I have noticed that since starting my role, my skin has become a bit more sensitive, but it could be due to other things.”
A further commenter said they had previously worked at Lush and also alleged that employees were not permitted to wear gloves. The user wrote, “I used to work there back in the day; it was the worst. Lmafoo, no commission, forced to go outside and drag ppl in the store. We also definitely not allowed to wear gloves. I also had eczema and they said no,”
Claims have not been independently verified
The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the claims made in the video. The reported details are based solely on @kaylessoto’s account as shared on TikTok. The account describes an alleged workplace policy and an alleged scabies infection, but the source does not establish whether the condition was definitively contracted at the Lush store or provide a response from Lush.
Why This Matters
The video has drawn attention to hygiene, protective equipment and employee health concerns in retail roles that involve hands-on product demonstrations. It also shows how individual workplace accounts can generate wider discussion when customers and current or former employees share related experiences online. Based on the available information, no independently verified findings or additional next steps have been reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did @kaylessoto claim happened at Lush?
@kaylessoto said they contracted scabies while working at a Lush cosmetics store and claimed that a manager would not allow them to wear gloves during customer-facing work.
What is scabies?
Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by mites burrowing into the outer layer of the skin. It can cause intense itching and a rash.
Have the claims been verified?
No. The Daily Dot said it could not independently verify the claims, and the details are based solely on @kaylessoto’s TikTok account.
