The Dangers of Fish Pedicures
Cracked, itchy and callused feet are no fun for anyone. You may have heard of fish pedicures as a supposedly quick, seamless and pain-free solution. But don’t be fooled — these so-called “spa treatments” actually do more harm than good. This is true for both the fish and the humans receiving the pedicures.
From health and safety risks to environmental and ethical concerns, there’s an extensive list of reasons to stay away from fish spas. Let’s go over the dangers of fish pedicures and some safer alternative treatment options you can seek instead.
What Are Fish Pedicures?
A fish pedicure (ichthyotherapy) involves soaking the feet in a basin of water filled with small fish that eat the dead skin cells off the feet. The most commonly used species is the Garra rufa, also known as “doctor fish.”
The goal of this spa treatment is to smoothen and soften the skin, remove calluses and dryness, and improve the appearance of the cuticles. Some studies also suggest that it can alleviate symptoms of psoriasis.
The procedure originated in Turkey and is popular in other Middle Eastern countries. The main draw of fish pedicures is that they can exfoliate the feet, and while they often cause a tickling sensation, they don’t hurt.
However, despite being a pain-free procedure, fish pedicures are linked to various health, safety, sanitary and environmental risks. Additionally, there are ethical concerns regarding the farming, transport and treatment of the Garra rufa fish.
For these reasons, fish pedicures are banned in several states, including:
- California
- Florida
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Texas
- Washington
They’re also banned in Mexico and parts of Canada and Europe.
Health Risks of Fish Pedicures
Ichthyotherapy poses numerous health and safety risks.
Bacterial Infections and Skin Diseases
Studies have shown that fish pedicures can contribute to the spread of zoonotic diseases — infections transmitted from animals to humans. Garra rufa from fish spas have been shown to carry microbes, including Aeromonas hydrophila, Mycobacterium marinum and Vibrio cholerae, that cause illness in both fish and humans. Researchers speculate that this microbial growth results from the poor health of the Garra rufa, specifically during transport.
Cleaning the basins between patrons is challenging, as the Garra rufa would need to be removed, and the fish themselves can’t be sanitized. Without a way to properly disinfect the fish or tubs, bacterial and fungal infections are more likely to spread. This is especially unnerving since people with contagious conditions, like athlete’s foot and nail fungus, often undergo fish pedicures. Another thing to consider is that fish produce waste, which collects in the pedicure tubs.
Here are some risks and infections associated with fish pedicures:
- Mycobacterial infection: Fish pedicures are suspected to be linked to cases of mycobacteriosis, which can cause rough plaque buildup on the skin.
- Staph infections: Due to pathogenic bacteria in the fish, people have reported staph infections after these pedicures. Depending on the location and severity, staph infections can cause varying symptoms, including skin infections, nausea, dehydration and low blood pressure.
- Onychomadesis: One woman experienced onychomadesis — a condition that causes the toenail to blacken and fall off — following a fish pedicure. This likely resulted from trauma to the nail caused by the pressure from the fish.
Bloodborne Diseases
Because Garra rufa don’t have teeth, their nibbling doesn’t normally cause bleeding. However, this species is often mistaken for a similar-looking one — the Cyprinion macrostomus, more commonly known as the “Chin Chin fish” — which is less expensive and more aggressive.
So, patrons could unknowingly be sharing a tub with Chin Chin instead of Garra rufa. The Chin Chin have teeth and are known to bite and break the skin, increasing the risk of bleeding and infection. Additionally, if a patron has an open cut that bleeds into the basin, there’s a higher risk of bloodborne disease transmission.
Overall, fish pedicure tubs are a major breeding ground for bacteria. Even the smallest sores or cuts can become infected when soaked in the water.
Ethical Concerns of Fish Pedicures
Multiple ethical concerns surround these foot treatments — and for good reason.
Treatment of Garra Rufa Fish
In fish spas, the Garra rufa are intentionally deprived of their natural food sources and starved, causing them to eat the dead skin. Many of these fish are exposed to toxins during the pedicures and contract diseases.
There are also concerns regarding transit conditions. Garra rufa come from the Middle East. So, if you receive a fish pedicure in the United States, the fish were shipped there. Many of them don’t survive the journey due to stress and cramped conditions. Additionally, in certain parts of the world, Garra rufa are overfarmed to breed enough fish for the pedicures.
Even if these fish pedicures were risk-free otherwise, most of us can agree that the inhumane treatment of the Garra rufa is reason enough to avoid them.
Environmental Impact
Another reason to boycott fish pedicures is their potentially harmful impact on the environment. While Turkey has made Garra rufa a protected species due to overfarming concerns, other nations do not exercise the same protection. Overfarming one species of fish depletes its numbers, negatively impacting ecosystems and animals that are higher in the food chain.
Additionally, Garra rufa aren’t native to North America. Say a fish spa in the U.S. shuts down and releases its leftover fish into the wild. If the Garra rufa inhabit these waterways, they could interfere with the ecosystem and overrun local fish populations.
How Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates Can Help
If you’re seeking relief from athlete’s foot, a fungal infection or another condition, don’t turn to risky and unethical procedures like fish pedicures. If you have foot concerns, seek treatment from an experienced podiatrist — a doctor specializing in foot and ankle care — instead.
Our team at Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates offers a variety of podiatry services throughout Washington, using safe, ethical and effective tools and treatments. These include orthotic devices, physical therapy and surgery if necessary.
After diagnosing your condition, we’ll discuss the next steps and treatment options. Patient education and safety is our top priority, and we want to ensure you’re fully informed about every option and confident in your treatment plan. You can trust us for personalized care and an unwavering commitment to improving patients’ lives.
Book an Appointment With Our Foot and Ankle Specialists Today
When exploring care options for foot and ankle conditions, it’s essential to prioritize safe, hygienic, ethical and effective treatments tailored to your needs. Our team understands this and is ready to help you find a solution.
Choose Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates for high-quality podiatry services in Washington. We can work with you to make the most informed decision regarding your foot care. Visit one of our clinics in Olympia, Centralia, Lacey, Tumwater or Tacoma to get the customized treatment you need.
Contact us today to schedule your podiatry appointment or request more information about our services.
Linked Sources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7398691/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/fish-pedicure
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/fish-pedicures
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8436712/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/fish-pedicure
- https://www.livescience.com/62975-fish-pedicure-toenail-problem.html
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7398691/
- https://fasafw.com/podiatry/athletes-foot-doctors/
- https://fasafw.com/podiatry/foot-fungal-infection-doctors/
- https://fasafw.com/patient-education/
- https://fasafw.com/podiatry/
