As I walked around a local mall last weekend while traveling, I noticed an advertisement for the fish pedicure. The fish pedicure is a new type of inexpensive pedicure that is popular in Asian and Turkish countries, is starting to gain attention in the United States. It is advertised as a new way to rid your feet of dry, dead skin using fish. The pedicure involves submerging your feet in water while tiny little fish, called garra rufa, nibble away at your feet. Sound strange, well it should, as women are trying various ways to have smoother skin on their feet, why not try fish...just one more thing to add to the list of foot remedies.
Since many states don't allow the use of razors due to the sharps hazard and the sanitation issues, getting rid of the calloused skin on the feet, for some women, has become more tedious and requiring a little more work. Fish pedicures have already been banned in a few states in the United States due to health concerns. While not banned in most states, there is code in some areas that call for sanitizing of the fish but those sanitation requirements would kill the fish. So assuming until there are complaints or issues, then sanitation requirements may not be enforced.
Although there have not been any negative reports, the jury is still out on if there are any negative effects in this treatment. While this new treatment may seem harmless, there is no evidence as to whether any diseases or condition can be transmitted from fish to human, still proceed with caution. While the chances of contracting anything from the fish may be minimal, contracting something from the water may be more likely. The water in which you submerge your feet for the treatment, is supposed to be changed and clean water used for each new customer. Also, each customer's feet are supposed to be cleaned prior to the treatment and inspected for any possible infection or foot problems.
With that in mind, the question to ask yourself is: who is qualified in the salon as to whether a foot condition is infectious or not? Remember the individual performing your treatment is not a trained physician, and cannot definitively decide if a condition is infectious or not. As tinea pedis, aka athlete's foot, can look like just dry, peeling skin, to the average salon worker. Plus, with the possibly of turning a customer away may make a business owner think twice about sanitation efforts. So with all foot treatments, keep in mind your personal medical conditions, as novelty treatments, no matter how popular can be costly in the long run. If you have dry, calloused skin on your feet, consult your podiatrist for treatment. Be an advocate for your foot health.
Dr. Jennifer Feeny is a board certified podiatrist in Blacksburg Virginia. To read more of what Dr. Feeny is saying about foot health visit visit her website, Shenandoah Podiatry.
No comments:
Post a Comment