Fish that are used in trendy spa treatments to clean feet may not be so clean themselves, a new study suggests.
In "fish pedicures," the
fish, called Garra rufa, exfoliate clients' feet by nibbling on them.
During a session, clients immerse their feet, or sometimes their entire bodies,
in water with the fish, allowing the fish to feed on dead skin for cosmetic
reasons, or to control skin conditions, the researchers said.
The researchers found that supplies
of these fish from Indonesia destined for spas in the United Kingdom harbored potentially harmful bacteria.
The researchers intercepted and tested the fish upon their arrival at a U.K.
airport.
The fish carried a diverse range of
bacteria, some of which are capable of causing soft tissue infections in
people, the researchers said. The bacteria were resistant to a variety of
antibiotics, the researchers said.
One type of bacteria found, Vibrio
vulnificus, can cause wound infections and septicemia, a condition with
high mortality rates, especially among people with conditions such as liver
disease, diabetes or impaired immune function, the researchers said.
Another type, called Streptococcus
agalactiae, is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections,
especially in older adults and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Although the particular strain identified in the study does not generally cause
human disease, it could evolve after repeated exposures to people, the
researchers said.
There have been very few reports of
people being infected with bacteria after a fish pedicure, the researchers said.
"However, our study raises some
concerns over the extent that these fish, or their transport water, might
harbor potential zoonotic disease pathogens of clinical relevance," the
researchers wrote in the June issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a journal
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People with conditions such as
diabetes or immunosuppression should be discouraged from undertaking these
treatments, especially if they have breaks in the skin, the researchers said.
Spas that offer fish pedicures
should consider using only disease-free fish reared in controlled facilities
with high standards, the researchers said.
The study was conducted by
researchers at the Center for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
Weymouth Laboratory, in Weymouth, United Kingdom.
Pass it on: Fish used in "fish pedicures" may harbor harmful
bacteria.
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call the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center
office in Las Vegas anytime @702-878-2455
between Monday – Friday and we would be happy to set up an appointment for
you. Please visit our website @ www.FallCenter.com. The Foot, Ankle & Lower
Leg Center has Diagnostic
imaging: Digital X-Rays, Ultrasound or Advanced Imaging will be used to aid in the diagnosis.
Dr. Anthony Ricciardi at the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center has
completed training in endoscopic/minimally invasive surgery for chronic heel
pain and nerve pain, foot and ankle joint replacement for restoring pain free
motion, arthroscopic surgery, bunion surgery, fracture repair, flat foot
correction, external fixation for complex deformities and extensive experience
in peripheral nerve surgery including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and
reconstructive surgery of previously failed foot surgical procedures. In addition to his surgical training Dr.
Ricciardi focuses on sports medicine of the foot and ankle through regenerative
techniques using the patient’s own blood/platelets for healing chronic foot and
ankle problems (pain) as a result of repetitive sport injuries. This cutting edge technology enables patients
to continue training with little or no down time. Dr. Ricciardi continues to be active in teaching
and training other podiatric surgeons on innovative surgical techniques in foot
surgery. Dr. Ricciardi is Board
Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of the American
College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Fellow of the Association of Extremity
Nerve Surgeons. Dr. Ricciardi’s vision
is to bring each patient the most current State of the Art Technology and
personalized treatment options to meet their Foot and Ankle needs (from
conservative care to surgical options).
Dr. Ricciardi believes in quality service and puts his patients first!
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