Fish foot spa involves putting your feet in a tank of water full of garra rufa fish. Doctor fish which they are better known will nibble at your feet exfoliating dead skin cells. Â In some other salon they do full body exfoliation. Â This kind of foot spa or therapy is very popular in Thailand. Â It is found in every street, in almost all malls in Bangkok, and even in an aquarium park in Songkhla Thailand. It is one of the must-go and must-to-do agenda whenever island hopping here. Â Each island has their own style and presentation. Â Fish foot spa is very popular in Asia most especially in Thailand, but it is also gaining popularity in the UK.
Amidst this craze, let us stop and listen to what health officials have to say.
1. Â It may carry bacteria that causes skin and soft tissue infections. Â These bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
2. Â It can spread HIV and Hepatitis.
To foot salon owners. Strict precaution should be observed.  Those who have weakened immune system brought by psoriasis, AIDS, cancer, and even those that have open sore and cut should stay away from this.  Foot spa salon should follow very strict cleanliness procedure, making sure that the water is changed after each client.  They should come up with some sort of  health screening  with their customers.
To the customers. It should be noted that the infection could be incurred not only from the water tank, but also from the fish. Â In this case, sterilization is impossible as it will harm the fish.
To animal lovers. Â These fish are starved to entice them to feed on dead human skin.
For detailed report on this, read.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/fish-pedicure-infections/story?id=16348565
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/18/fish-foot-spas-could-spread-hiv-and-hepatitis/
http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easier-stuff/225723/the-downside-of-fish-spas
http://www.webmd.boots.com/foot-care/features/fish-spa-pedicure-health-concerns
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Thanks for the information . I really wanted to try it when I saw one in the mall but Fotunately I’m always in a hurry . now I know that there are some risk involved. thanks a lot
I was tempted myself when I first saw this. It is kind of different and interesting; and I’m glad I didn’t.
So this is why I never did once try fish foot spa.
Gross. Even before reading your article on the negatives of using a fish spa, I didn’t like the thought of a fish nibbling on my feet!
I saw this on the news awhile back, but didn’t realize how commonplace it really was. The idea of having a fish eat my skin just skeeves me out!
This is my first time hearing of this but thanks for sharing the risks. Not something I think I would try.
I’ve never done it and don’t think I ever would — just the thought of something “nibbling” on my feet is gross!
I’ve NEVER heard of a fish spa before. It seems both interesting and creepy at the same time. LOL!
tried fish spa in manila ocean park. will not try it again after reading your post. scary! 😀
thats alarming. I hope spa costumers should take a brief research first in new therapy different spa’s offer.
I have heard about this fish before. And I never thought about the consequences it will carry. I don’t mind the infection but knowing the fact that you have a high chance of getting those diseases? I might skip that and go to my stone scrubbing thingy.
Thanks for the info. I really want to try it when I saw one in the mall or inside the amusement park but luckily I’m always in a hurry so thanks for your post, now I know that there are some risk involved.
I recently tried this on our company outing. After I read this, I got scared.
Eww… I’ve been meaning to try this pa naman… thanks for the warning!
Haven’t tried this yet but thanks for sharing!
Yes! I agree! Those are the very same reasons why I don’t want to try fish foot spa – and also the price of P150 for 15 minutes as offered here is quite steep! I can actually get a 1-hour full body massage for that price 😀
I still want to try that fish spa, and I’m confident that I have a strong immune system! Hehe =)
Same with Roxi, I tried this years ago in Manila Ocean Park. Thanks for sharing!
Fish spa can indeed be agents of transferring diseases.
haven’t tried this but i was very curious to try. but after reading your post, i felt a little weary of trying this :z
I’ve only tried it once at Ocean Park. Imagine that big pool with twenty people at the same time. Who knows nga if those other people with you are healthy. Yikes. Staying away now.
A former colleague has recently opened a business of this sort. I’m actually scared at the thought of being fed on, even if it’s dead skin or small fishes. o.O
I agree on this. Just imagine people coming together on the same pool of water, who knows who among them has disease condition.