Fish pedicure safety in question

[dOOds]

Fish pedicure safety in question

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12595809

Health experts are investigating the safety of fish pedicures after concerns that this latest pampering craze could spread infections.

The treatment involves dunking the feet in tanks filled with Garra rufa fish that can nibble away dead skin.

The Health Protection Agency is concerned this could spread diseases from person to person through open wounds.

It was first contacted by worried environmental health officers.
Feet feeders

A Health Protection Agency spokesperson said: "Following a number of enquiries to the HPA from local environmental health officers over the past six months, the agency is currently investigating if there are any potential risks of infection associated with the commercial use of fish spa pedicures in the UK.

"Alongside colleagues in environmental health, Health Protection Scotland and the Health and Safety Laboratory, the HPA will examine the most up to date evidence of any possible risks associated with Garra rufa fish pedicures and will publish guidelines that will be available UK-wide.

"The HPA and Health Protection Scotland is currently unaware of any cases of infection associated with the use of the fish spas pedicures in the UK."

Tiny Garra Rufa fish, or "doctor fish" as they are affectionately called, are a type of toothless carp that nibble on the dead skin.

Their use in spas across the UK has been gaining in popularity.

In the US, however, some states have banned their use over health and safety concerns of having the same fish clean the skin of multiple customers.

 

[bigbird]

funny for everything new there is another negative, mind you I am also not sure if I were to place my feet in a tank where 30 other people have stuck their feet into :lol::lol:

 

[GrubbyGirl]

My friend has psoriasis and she keeps her own Garra Rufa fish and she has a breeding pair so earns a fair bit of money, but they really do work, they have made such a difference to her, but like most I would rather keep my own than share a bath with others!!

 

[macvsog23]

Amazing
we are so worried about cross infection.
It is some thing I would never think about

 

[JoePlec]

It is my opinion that the people who do it generally have manky feet so maybe they should just cut their loses and get a starving angry dog to rip them off. Its bad enough that they are kept in tiny tanks in their hundreds but then they have to munch on the trotters of some old purple rinser. Anyway ill end this rant as people will be eating breakfast now :lol:

 

[tiffanyjayne]

Maybe it's just me but has no one stopped to think of the fish? (shops and sellers not the forum) is feeding them bits of bunion and nail varnish really a way to keep fish? i can't imagen these fish get fed fish food but why on earth would anyone decide instead of a normal habitate and something close to there normal diet we'll feed them feet, i'm sure i could save a few quid feeding my dog my leftovers instead of dog food but it wouldn't be good for her, why are these fish any different? The world has officially gone mad!

 

[zeebo]

hmyk , that video was sick, sad and gnarly, and now I'm gonna go toss my cookies.

this is just wrong on so many levels...poor fish - - foolish humans

 

[Zebra Pleco]

As far as I am aware, our local spa, uses UV light to stop any infection, but I still think its cruel, over 100+ fish crammed into a 2ft tank, only getting dead skin on feet to eat, something wrong there, stuff the infections to humans, what about the lifestyle of the fish.