Something Fishy Here
By skysuccess
@skysuccess (8858)
Singapore
October 20, 2011 3:58pm CST
Fish pedicure otherwise known as Doctor Fish Spa popularized in 2006, opened in Hakone, Japan, and in Umag, Croatia, where the fish are used to clean the bathers at the spa.
It is believed that the breeds in the outdoor pools of some Turkish spas, could bring about intrinsic health benefits where the fishes would feed on the skin of patients with psoriasis. The fish are like combfishes in that they only consume the affected and dead areas of the skin, leaving the healthy skin to grow, with the outdoor location of the treatment bringing beneficial effects.
In case you are contemplating a session or another repeat visit, I think you will need to read this before you make your visit which could be fatal. It is revealed by UK government’s Health Protection Agency that infections and bacteria may be passed on by the tiny Garra Rufa Fish themselves or through water used by a previous client when left unchanged. As much as it is displeasing to learn but blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis could be transmitted if infected clients bleed in spa water that is used again.
Actually, the spas are not meant as a curative treatment option, only as a temporary alleviation of symptoms. So, if you have any of the above medical conditions then, I would recommend the conventional pedicure for your own sake and others as well.
Do take care here, everybody.
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2050342/Fish-pedicures-foot-spas-spread-HIV-hepatitis-C.html
2 people like this
9 responses
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
5 Nov 11
atleya,
I am sure this treatment will be back especially when these spas could come up with a way to screen their customers before their participation.
Anyway, I do believe that this form of treatment would have its benefits and as such, I do not think spas will be giving up this form of treatment.
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
5 Nov 11
eljayo,
Let's be careful indeed especially the spa operators who should really look into this and start screening their customers before letting them participate in this treatment.
If you are still interested, just be on the lookout and know your spas.
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
21 Oct 11
Oh wow.This is a scary thing!!! I have never considered this, and the thought of fish nibbling on my feet doesnt sound so great.
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
21 Oct 11
ladygator,
Scary indeed.
But, I suppose these spas will do something more with this revelation, starting with a system of monitoring and paying attention to their clients' medical condition.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
20 Oct 11
This sounds so gross to me that I would never ever want to experience this procedure. Mind you I had never heard of it either
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
21 Oct 11
cynthiann,
I wonder if the term "ticklish" would have been more appropriate here.
Anyway, I can understand where you are but I believe something good will come out of this and I hope that spa clients will be more prudent with their health.
I hope health spas would step up with their operations especially understand their clients medical conditions existing and preexisting before prescribing any form of treatment or this form of pedicure.
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
21 Oct 11
akangirl,
I can see your ticklish problem depriving you the enjoyment in this area. Anyway, I believe you will one day overcome this ticklish problem but until then, I think it would be good for you to know about this.
More importantly, it would be good to share this with your family or love ones who might not be aware and end up with a fatal infection. I just hope that the spas will be more health and hygiene conscious.
Take care.
@janevi (888)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
hi skysuccess. thank you for this very informative post you have here. I was contemplating on having one before because I was so intrigued by the benefits the people are saying who have had this unique pedicure.
I saw many people who had this spa both young and old but I was not convinced of having one. My plan of having is just for curiosity sake. Learning the downside of it, I won't go for it anymore.
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
5 Nov 11
janevi,
You are welcome.
I am glad that you had not tried it yet and I just could not imagine what you would be undergoing through if you had.
I am sure the spas would need to come up with some kind of screening for their customers and ever more since this news.
Just be on a lookout as I am sure this is just a temporary setback.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
20 Oct 11
Businesses or clinics using ANY treatment or procedure where multiple clients visit should have health and hygiene rules and training for staff to prevent cross contamination or infections in place,this goes without saying...whether it be hairdressing,swimming pools,tattoo parlours,fish pedicures or whatever..where there is a risk of disease transmission,all possible measures should be taken to prevent this from happening.AFAIK,these fish pedicure salons that are being set up and becoming popular are not aimed at people with medical conditions (eg Diabetes) that might affect the feet..
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
21 Oct 11
ShepherdSpy,
You've raised very good points on the measures these spas need to observe and if I may add, start a system to monitor their clients for infectious clients before prescribing such treatment which might endanger the disease carrier's own life.
I do agree completely with you that these fish pedicure salons and its treatment aren't or rather aimed for people with contagious medical conditions but even the terminally ill have their rights to choose. And, I see that it is the job of these spas to set the parameters and a discreet system to discourage them from engaging such treatment or rather pedicure.
Through it all, I am glad that the health authorities are seen to be working with this finding and revealing it. I believe something good will come out this and make spa operators more professional health wise.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
20 Oct 11
hi skysuccess no not for me as a diabetic I do not need to get Hiv or any other chronic disease on top of diabetes. I will leave
this to hardier soul than myself. in fact the whole idea of fishes nibbling on me turns my stomach. yuck.
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
21 Oct 11
Hatley,
I understand your medical condition and I have to agree that this fish pedicure is unfit for you unless the spas could let you have a dedicated pool and fish. Either that or they have a way to screen their clients for these infectious diseases.
I believe this news will inevitably start a chain of events for the betterment of things ahead as far as fish pedicure is concern. Until this issue has been completely address, I suppose I will still be in favor of the traditional pedicure.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
20 Oct 11
wow thank you for the heads up. i had never tried this spa treatment but i heard of it already. they said it was relaxing and me and my wife would really want to give it a go. but unfortunately we havent tried it yet. i guess this fish can really pass i few bacteria from their teeth that they use to bite from one skin to another and that can be dangerous. this school of fish does not brush nor floss so you can imagine how many feet they bite everyday.
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
21 Oct 11
se7enthbird,
You are welcome here.
I suppose this form of spa does has its legitimacy but I believe it will need to be wary of this health threat it poses. I just hope that the spas would do their job screening their clients for infectious diseases and place an effective yet discreet system.
Let's hope that things will get better here.
