The practice of fish pedicures is both traditional and controversial. Known to have been an oriental foot treatment in their natural habitat of the warm springs, particularly in Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus for hundreds of years, and commercially from the 1900s, garra rufa fish – or ‘doctor fish’ – nibble on feet to remove dead skin. Hence their nickname, ‘nibble fish.’
Georgia
too is famed for its warm springs. Tbilisi, the City of Hot Springs, was
founded on natural hot springs, and Tbilisi itself means ‘warm.’ In the heart
of the Old City in Tbilisi is a fish pedicure salon. At the Fish Spa,
once feet are cleaned (and dried with disposable paper towels), they are dangled
in an aerated freshwater tank of garra
rufa fish. At first the sensation resembles tickling (for the fish do not have
teeth; they have a sucker), but this soon passes with acclimatization. They are
actually sloughing off the dead skin, or exfoliating the feet. During the 30 or
60 minute session, beverages are served (such as beer, wine, soft drinks, tea,
and coffee) and wifi is available. There are three glass fish tanks, each one divided
into two, suitable for individual customers. The bench seats provide comfort
and stability. This is followed by a brief foot massage.
Garra rufa fish are small, grey, and
lively. A fast-growing practice across Europe and Asia, the process has been advertised
as therapeutic and relaxing. It has also been promoted as an aid to feet
exfoliation, reducing foot odour, de-stressing, energizing, improving blood
circulation, and stimulating nervous receptors on the feet.
The
Tbilisi Fish Spa advertises that ‘you will find a comfortable atmosphere where
you can relax and have a rest’ while you have an ‘exotic, pleasant, and
wholesome water procedure.’ Indeed it is.
Although
the Tbilisi establishment does not make health cure claims, some spas around
the world claim that the fish pedicure assists the treatment of skin conditions
(such as psoriasis and eczema). And that is part of the controversy. Other than
being relaxing, softening and cleaning, curative claims for the treatment of
psoriasis, eczema or other foot conditions have not been substantiated. In
fact, people with underlying medical conditions, including psoriasis and
diabetes, are advised against using fish spas.
The
other part of the controversy is that the fish can become infected (i.e. it’s
bad for the fish) and/or people can become infected – from micro-organisms in the
water, other people, towels, chemicals, or the establishment’s unhygienic
practices. Conditions such as psoriasis are not contagious but other infections
may be passed on through cuts and lesions in people’s skin or because people
have weakened immune systems. It is also advised to wait at least 24 hours
after having a leg wax or shave before using such spas.
Despite
their popularity in many countries, from late 2011 the Health Protection Agency
(HPA) of the United States banned the practice in 14 states for health and
safety reasons – as did Canada in some provinces, and Singapore. In addition,
the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is opposed
to the practice. The main concerns are that the fish should remain in a stable
environment with the correct water temperature, quality, light, shelter, aeration,
and nutrtion. The RSPCA is also concerned about overcrowding, possible
chemicals from creams and lotions or nail varnish that may leach into the water,
as well as appropriate training for staff.
United
Press International (UPI) reported that a French government agency was calling
for closer supervision of fish pedicures (April 25, 2013). The National Safety
Agency recommended government regulation to install safeguards. For fish spas,
health departments in several countries recommend disposable towels for drying
feet, healthy filtrated tanks, tanks for individual clients (rather than
groups), regular changes of water, and good health practices. And to use garra rufa fish, not other fish that
might be more aggressive.
For
customers, the US HPA indicated that the health risks were ‘extremely low’ but could
not be ruled out, while others countries advised that people should use their
own judgment in choosing establishments with good practices for the health of
humans – and the fish.
http://www.theecologist.org
MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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