Feeding frenzy: Thailand’s fish spas nibble on despite health fears

[QuotaMan]

http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/play/nibble-thailands-fish-spas-stir-health-fears-930473

 

Charlie's Massage and Beauty on Khao San Road keeps thousands of fish in three rectangular, bathtub-sized aquariums.

 

Spa-goers in Thailand are sidestepping potential health issues to wallow in tanks filled with flesh-eating fish.

 

Rather than razor-toothed piranhas, the fish are tiddlers that simply suck up dead skin -- but officials in Thailand and around the world have warned that blood in the spas' pools could pose serious hygiene problems.

 

However customers are continuing to patronize the fish spas, shrugging off any talk of danger.

 

"It is the same feeling like a mosquito biting you," said Lomporn Chintee, 27, after letting herself be nibbled in a "fish spa" on Phi Phi island.

 

"It tickles. I didn't know there was any health risk. But I'm not afraid. I would do it again.”

 

In Bangkok, British tourist Clive Helman said he was intrigued by the idea.

 

"I would consider having it done if the place was pretty clean looking,” he said. “There is a place on Phi Phi where you could give the fish your full body, with no clothes on. I would start with my feet, though, and perhaps then give the full body treatment a go, despite the alleged dangers."

 

A fish spa treatment entails sticking your limbs or torso into a big aquarium filled with lots of small fish and allowing them to tenderly assault your skin in an uninhibited feeding frenzy.

 

The toothless fish do not bite into living flesh. Instead they suck and devour loose bits of dead or unhealthy skin, providing an aquatic exfoliation. The fish are believed to like dead skin because it is relatively easy for them to remove, especially after softening in the water.

 

Most establishments throughout the world use toothless Garra Rufa, also known as "doctor fish," though some places describe their fish as toothless carp or Cyprinion Macrostomus.

 

Health officials in some U.S. states, however, have closed down fish spas after warning that customers with tiny cuts or wounds have soaked themselves in the fish tanks alongside other customers who have similar hard-to-see lesions, thus creating the possibility of receiving or transmitting infectious diseases.

 

Britain's Health Protection Agency recently announced it was investigating the possibility of human infection from fish spa pedicures, but had no confirmed cases of disease. Infected human blood can turn a fresh water aquarium into a potential mixing vessel. Pieces of uneaten, dead or diseased skin floating in the tank during the treatment add to the risk of additional skin diseases, according to health officials.

Edited March 31, 2011 by LonelyMan

[Soi Sauce]

What it should have said is " the governments around the world have yet to tax the hell out of it" therefore are bound to warn people off until they can get a decent bite! size chunk of the revenue. If you want a nibble by a fish... go for it!!

[leadpencil]

The fish spas seem to be springing up all over the UK now as well. I spoke to someone the other day who had paid £25 for a half hour session!

[The Seeker]

Thanks for posting this. It won't put me off, though. My feet feel brilliant after a session with the little doctors.

[midge]

http://www.cnngo.com...th-fears-930473

 

Charlie's Massage and Beauty on Khao San Road keeps thousands of fish in three rectangular, bathtub-sized aquariums.

 

 

 

It's a very new special feeling,but after you feel very well indeed.Recommend it.cheers.

[lynott]

Tried it in 2009 when it was new in pattaya and it felt good, maby 30 minutes was a little to much becourse my feet was a little bit red and sensitive after some days.

[luv.you.long.time]

I know a wee bit about this industry and can confirm there have not been any proven reported cases of infection transmission.

The issue arose when it broke into the US a few years ago. Some started used the cheaper and more abrasive "Chin Chin" fish that had micro teeth at its mouth and were causing scratches on senstive skin. Where the skin was weak (ie psoriasis/excema/healing cuts) the skin would break and start to weep blood. The perception being that 'potentially' the blood or any bacteria from the foot would stay on the fishes mouth area and 'potentially' transferred over to the next client.

 

The Garra Rufa fish that is traditionally used in these spas do have teeth, but they are located wayyyy down in the gullet prior to entering the stomach area, therefore, far more passive on the skin when sucking off dead skin from humans.

 

As there are no reports of this, this will just be a hypothetical study and will be inconclusive. Several states in the US banned the Fish Spas. I reckon this was due to the 'sue them' culture over there that can have financially crippling consequences.

 

I believe the only good thing that will come out of the commissioned report will be a regulation of the industry in that the water purity and fish welfare is monitored. Obviously, that will no doubt have a cost to the retailer having to pay more to its local counci somehow, therefore, the downside being that this local tax will be passed onto the customer !

Edited April 2, 2011 by luv.you.long.time

[missedherB]

 

I tried it a few visits back after reading this sign............look at all those benefits.

 

Edited April 3, 2011 by misterB

[PawYai]

They have them in Manchester Airport UK now 25 a session and they have the nerve to claim " aids circulation good for health" load of bollocks not sticking my feet in anything that isnt clean...how many sets of sweaty fungus ridden feet have been in there already verucas scabies yuk no way

[OleKingCole]

They have them in Manchester Airport UK now 25 a session and they have the nerve to claim " aids circulation good for health" load of bollocks not sticking my feet in anything that isnt clean...how many sets of sweaty fungus ridden feet have been in there already verucas scabies yuk no way

 

 

Go for a swim in the sea instead! Kick off your shoes and walk barefoot in a person's house or temple... Sit in a plane for a 12 hr flight to LOS breathing everyone else's recirculated germs

 

I have been to 2 or 3 of these places in Patts. The water is continually circulated and filtered, if not, as any aquarium owner will tell you, you'd soon have it go green in the warmth.

 

I have also been to the whole body one just at the end of Beach Road - great. Will go again when I am next there