PATNA: With day-to-day life becoming hectic, people look for different ways to pamper themselves and get relaxed these days. One such option gaining popularity in the city is fish spa or fish pedicure.
Though several malls and shopping complexes in the city have introduced fish spa facility, health experts have cautioned people against the potential risk associated with this leisure trend, which is banned in some parts of the world.
In fish spa, a tub or basin full of water is placed with Garra Rufa fish, popularly known as “Doctor Fish”. These fish eat the dead skin of the feet and eventually cleans up all the dirt and heels the ankle cracks, giving them a cleaner and shiny look. While only one mall in the city introduced this concept initially, the facility is now available at different malls and marketplaces.
Amit Kumar, who manages one such spa in a city mall, said they came up with this cosmetic facility in December last year. “On an average, 25 people enjoy fish pedicure in our mall per day,” he added. Kumar said three basins have been placed at the mall for pedicure. “The duration of one session is 15 minutes and it costs Rs 200. For two sessions, we charge Rs 300. Pedicure along with spinal massage costs Rs 300,” Kumar said. In another mall near Saguna Mor, Rs 100 is charged for one session. One Shilpi Kumari, who was seen enjoying the facility at the mall, said, “It gives a different feeling. Pedicure is painless and the feet becomes cleaner,” she added.
However, health experts are apprehensive of the trend. Assistant professor of skin department at Patna Medical College and Hospital, Dr Pankaj Tiwary, said there are several side effects too as the fish which nibble the dead cell may carry infection from one person to another, the way mosquitoes do.
Fish pedicure risky for those having skin disease: Docs
“These fish are kept in a basin and several customers take the service. The basins or fish cannot be properly sanitized. There are chances of two types of infection – from human to human and fish to human,” Dr Tiwary said, adding those with skin disease are more at risk.
He said abrasion may also lead to blood-borne infections in some cases. Even the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention have pointed towards health risks. “The fish pedicure tubs cannot be sufficiently cleaned between customers when the fish are present. The fish themselves cannot be disinfected or sanitized between customers. There is no effective way to disinfect the tubs. Because of the cost of the fish, mall owners sometimes use the same fish multiple times,” it stated.
It further mentioned about Chinese Chinchin, another species of fish that is often misused as Garra Rufa. “These fish later grow teeth and can draw blood, increasing the risk of infection,” it said.
Though several malls and shopping complexes in the city have introduced fish spa facility, health experts have cautioned people against the potential risk associated with this leisure trend, which is banned in some parts of the world.
In fish spa, a tub or basin full of water is placed with Garra Rufa fish, popularly known as “Doctor Fish”. These fish eat the dead skin of the feet and eventually cleans up all the dirt and heels the ankle cracks, giving them a cleaner and shiny look. While only one mall in the city introduced this concept initially, the facility is now available at different malls and marketplaces.
Amit Kumar, who manages one such spa in a city mall, said they came up with this cosmetic facility in December last year. “On an average, 25 people enjoy fish pedicure in our mall per day,” he added. Kumar said three basins have been placed at the mall for pedicure. “The duration of one session is 15 minutes and it costs Rs 200. For two sessions, we charge Rs 300. Pedicure along with spinal massage costs Rs 300,” Kumar said. In another mall near Saguna Mor, Rs 100 is charged for one session. One Shilpi Kumari, who was seen enjoying the facility at the mall, said, “It gives a different feeling. Pedicure is painless and the feet becomes cleaner,” she added.
However, health experts are apprehensive of the trend. Assistant professor of skin department at Patna Medical College and Hospital, Dr Pankaj Tiwary, said there are several side effects too as the fish which nibble the dead cell may carry infection from one person to another, the way mosquitoes do.
Fish pedicure risky for those having skin disease: Docs
“These fish are kept in a basin and several customers take the service. The basins or fish cannot be properly sanitized. There are chances of two types of infection – from human to human and fish to human,” Dr Tiwary said, adding those with skin disease are more at risk.
He said abrasion may also lead to blood-borne infections in some cases. Even the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention have pointed towards health risks. “The fish pedicure tubs cannot be sufficiently cleaned between customers when the fish are present. The fish themselves cannot be disinfected or sanitized between customers. There is no effective way to disinfect the tubs. Because of the cost of the fish, mall owners sometimes use the same fish multiple times,” it stated.
It further mentioned about Chinese Chinchin, another species of fish that is often misused as Garra Rufa. “These fish later grow teeth and can draw blood, increasing the risk of infection,” it said.
