Something Fishy

The media has been buzzing over the last year about a new form of pedicure which has been springing up across the United States. It involves customers placing their feet into tanks of warm water where hundreds of small fish eat away at the dead skin of clients’ feet. The first spa in the U.S. to offer this treatment sprang up last July in Virginia. Since that time, hundreds of others have emerged across the country. Unfortunately, there are some serious health concerns, and the controversy has been huge.
The treatment utilizes small carp fish known as garra rufa or “doctor fish” which have no teeth and thus are able to eat away at dead skin but leave living tissues alone. Another larger variety of fish known as chin chin which DO have teeth are also occasionally used. The practice was first developed in Turkey several years ago and became popular in several east Asian countries before coming to the U.S. last summer.
Initially, the response was overwhelmingly positive-at least for those willing to undergo the treatment. Spa owners claimed reservations months in advance. Even Diane Sawyer who tried the treatment on Good Morning America described it as feeling like “tiny delicate kisses”. However, since that time new questions have arisen regarding the sanitation and safety standards associated with the treatment. Currently, twenty-two states including Texas, Florida, and Illinois have banned it.
Concerns lie with the potential for the fish to spread disease and infection from one client’s feet to another. Current safety standards for pedicures dictate that all tools must be completely sanitized before being reused. While the water can be changed between treatments, it’s virtually impossible to clean the fish themselves which are quite expensive. Many animals are able to spread serious diseases such as salmonella, rabies, and avian flu. The “doctor fish” themselves are reportedly capable of spreading a bacteria which can cause boils and sores on the skin that can last for months.
No federal governing board has ruled decisively on the issue. While the International Nail Technicians Association has decried the practice for lack of health regulations, the CDC has relegated the matter for states to decide individually. In the meantime, it’s up to individuals to be aware and informed of the health risks and concerns associated with the treatments. As Susan Stanford of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation recently stated, “Fish shouldn’t be living in hot, chlorinated water. There was a concern for patrons, too, and a risk of infection or bacteria.”


Advanced Foot Care
Robert E. Kuvent, DPM
3225 S Alma School Rd
Chandler, AZ 85248
480.917.2300
http://www.yourfeetfixer.com