Doctor Fish Spa

[RobertForInfo]

Search YouTube for "Dr fish danger"

[DoctorFishSpa]

Press Release by HPA is "Fish Pedicures UNLIKELY to cause infection"

[DoctorFishSpa]

The Daily Mail and the Sun are alarming their readers today with articles alleging that “fish foot spa pedicures could spread HIV and hepatitis C” and that there is a "fish foot spa virus bombshell". The story has been picked up other media outlets, including Fox News, the Times of India and the Daily Telegraph.

[DoctorFishSpa]

However, the stories mostly twist and distort the source they are based on: a set of recommendations from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on the management of fish pedicures and fish spas. Indeed, the HPA titled its press release: “Fish pedicures unlikely to cause infection.”

There are no known cases of HIV infection due to the use of fish spas, or indeed from any other water-borne route.

[DoctorFishSpa]

An increasing number of salons and beauty therapists offer ‘fish pedicures’ in the UK. They involve immersing the feet in a tank of water containing Garra rufa fish (small toothless species of freshwater carp) that nibble off dead & thickened skin. The use of Garra rufa fish is long established in Turkey, India and the Far East where it has a history as a treatment for a variety of skin conditions and,more recently, as a cosmetic treatment for the removal of dead and hardened skin from the feet.

[DoctorFishSpa]

While there is little evidence in scientific literature of the potential public health risk to users, some are concerned about the presence of bacteria in the fish tank water. Moreover, while the fish are only meant to nibble dead skin, some clients may occasionally bleed into the water, raising anxieties about the transmission of blood-borne viruses.

[DoctorFishSpa]

There are restrictions on the practice in Germany and 18 states of the USA. Four Canadian provinces have banned the procedure on the grounds that fish used as ‘instruments’ for pedicures cannot be disinfected or sterilised between clients.

[DoctorFishSpa]

The HPA’s report examines the available evidence and scientific plausibility for the transmission of blood-borne viruses from person to person, via the water in the fish tank. Hepatitis B and C survive outside the body for longer than HIV and the only suspected blood-borne virus transmission cases via water relate to hepatitis B.

[DoctorFishSpa]

An infected client would need to bleed from an open cut, abrasion or wound into the water, and then another client would need to also have an open cut, abrasion or wound for the infected blood to enter his or her bloodstream. Importantly, the concentration of virus would be substantially reduced by the diluting effect of the water.

[DoctorFishSpa]

If virus contaminated a fish’s mouth, it would be unlikely to remain on the mouth and thus to effect a transmission to the next client. Moreover, a fish cannot itself be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (and there is no 'fish equivalent' of HIV).

Overall, the HPA describes the risk of blood-borne virus infection as “extremely low”, although it cannot be completely excluded.

[DoctorFishSpa]

It does make a number of hygiene recommendations for operators of fish spas (e.g. refreshing the water supply). To reduce the risk of infections being passed on or picked up, clients who have broken skin, athlete’s foot, a verruca, psoriasis or eczema affecting the feet or lower legs should not have fish pedicures.

[DoctorFishSpa]

Similarly, the HPA advises that people with HIV (and hepatitis B or C) should not have fish pedicures. However, it is not clear what scientific evidence this recommendation is based on or whether it is a proportional response to this theoretical transmission risk.

[DoctorFishSpa]

Lisa Power of the Terrence Higgins Trust dismissed the media’s concern about the issue: "The reality is, in this country, too many people are contracting HIV because they aren't using condoms, not because they're going for fish pedicures."

[RobertForInfo]

Health risk! The British Health Protection Agency reports that it is possible catch HIV or hepatitis in fish spas.

[gardendaisy]

HEARD THEY ARE NOT FED BUT ONLY EAT OUR FLESH.

[SailorBalance]

Hope the fish don't steal that don't eat the ring, too.

[partyrock909]

Lol they look like magnets

[rosewaterkaren000]

stop moving ur hand! let the fish have their meals!

[ericsantiago011]

put some phirannah..thats my advce =)

[Urko2005]

I had a go of these on my feet the other day, it just feels like them moving over your flesh, no biting involved.

its one of those things you have to try, amazing.

[wizard101loverMEH]

would they sometimes eat the skin that wasn't dead if they were hungry and desperate? lol

[BroadcastYourself691]

OMFG !!!!!!!!!!!!

[juju55488]

his hands must be really dry or they are really hungry..

[Gaaralover10142]

as soon as u put ur hand is the water they attacked..does it tickle or hurt?

[sazycute1993]

@Gaaralover10142 It's supposed to tickle, they don't bite, they don't have teeth, so they nibble with their mouths... Hope I helped :D

[bloodhoundgal]

Is it true that the fish are deprived of food for long periods of time to get them to eat the dead skin?

[sazycute1993]

@bloodhoundgal No, they just like to nibble skin :D

[1stAidMEDIC]

A i tried this with pirranhas in my bath tube. Life was never the same. LOL

[wayne205stevens]

Don't drop that baby!

[leasonnick]

Fantastic fish and Kangal is an amazing place. The treatment for sore blistered feet is simply fantastic. Well worth visiting!

[MoodyMooMoo1]

There well hungry I'm surprised they didn't take your hand off next time use a manaque hand see if they would go to that lol ^.~

[Ruzomania2010]

Hmmmmm i wonder if i shit in the water........maybe they'll eat that too.... :)

[eaterofpurplegoo]

that's awesome XD

[rachelbishk]

I would love some of these - brilliant video - thanks :)

[xCHRISTINE]

your skin must have alot of dead skin

[kikubrid]

Princefish and doctorfish888 are the only ones in the world who have Turkey wild breed Garra Rufas... Their fishes are so far the best i have seen and tried..

[blakkkey]

what kind of fish are these, can u buy them in store?

[MrSmiles4miles]

No you cant buy them in a store. They are originally from Turkey and it is illegal to take them out of the country, but somehow they find their way into spas around the world.

[prettyprincess362]

wow he must have alot of dead skin

[winniethepo0p]

I wonder where can i buy that fish in singapore:)

[JusT5xP]

Wow this Fish is so cool. I am going to get some to try.

[SarmVX]

lol thats cool. i think i would freak out if the fishes touch me like that.

[hopegal96]

Thts amazing. Wow. :)

[crock703]

WOW

[BobLawless]

does it not hurt even the slightest?

[davidlu866]

Nope, it's kinda fun to play with...

[spongebobrulz5434]

i love these little guys...there are dr fish cafe spas in korea that are awesome

[UVZombie]

its like magnets

[nicmanity]

lol i wanna experience this XD wanna try this out ehehe

[darrenchow]

hoe freakin champion ar??? wtf is princefish???

[xXCYRAXx15]

imagine sticking your whole body their lol

[whoarentyou]

I really want to try this one day, I'm known for how horrible my feet are to all my friends, dead skin and all... the fish would be overstuffed or die from mine.

[kikubrid]

OH MY GOD!! This is maddness!!! Just when i thought i have seen it all... WOOHOO!!! These fishes are the best i have seen so far in utube!!! Check the nibbles out!!! GARRA RUFA ROCKS!!! THIS MUST BE THE REAL GARRA RUFA THAT GOD PUT DOWN ON EARTH FOR US!! ROCK ON!!

[optramatic]

So far the best garra video I've ever seen! Awesome!!!