TikTok Creator Blames Tulum Sargassum for Skin Lesions, Says He Faces Death Threats (Video)

Tulum, Quintana Roo — A foreign TikTok user who posts as @gunnarexplores says he has suffered recurring skin lesions that he links to sargassum on the beaches of this Caribbean resort town, and claims he has received death threats for raising the issue.

In a video, the content creator displayed the affected areas and said he had gone through two similar episodes in the past three months. According to his account, the lesions began as small bumps that grew larger, became inflamed and began to secrete fluid.

He believes the injuries may be connected to bacteria or parasites present in decomposing sargassum. He also said the condition has interfered with his daily activities and his ability to produce content, citing the discomfort and the appearance of the lesions.

Two episodes near accumulated seaweed

The creator said the first episode came after an insect bit him while he was near seaweed that had piled up on the beach. The second occurred about a month ago, he said, after a visit to Parque del Jaguar, where he reported seeing brown water and remnants of sargassum.

He acknowledged that cleanup work has intensified recently and that barriers have been installed to hold back incoming seaweed, but argued that its effects may persist in the water. He also questioned how authorities and tourism businesses have responded to the seasonal buildup.

The account reflects his personal experience and does not by itself constitute evidence of bacterial contamination at the beaches he mentioned.

Creator says he was threatened over his posts

In the video, the creator said he has received death threats and hostile comments since publishing his first complaints. Some people accuse him of spreading false information and damaging Tulum’s tourism image at a time when local businesses and investors are already struggling, he said.

The man rejected those accusations and said his aim is to draw attention to environmental conditions at the destination. He also questioned the area’s tourism development model and called for closer cooperation among residents, business owners, visitors and authorities to address environmental problems.

What health agencies say about sargassum

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that sargassum accumulations can harbor small organisms capable of causing skin irritation. The agency also notes that decomposing seaweed releases gases such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which can pose health risks under certain conditions of exposure.