Fish for feet and feet for fish

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).