Fish pedicure, we discover risks and benefits of Garra Rufa therapy

Taking care of your feet is important. Many people use fish pedicure, an oriental practice whose risks seem to outweigh the benefits.

Taking care of your feet is a fundamental factor for a person’s well – being . There are many techniques for treating our feet, and one of these is fish pedicure.

Fish pedicure is an oriental treatment that has recently become popular all over the world. This practice is based on the use of a particular type of fish, the Garra Rufa . The latter swim in fresh water and are omnivorous . However, in the absence of other food, they can also feed on dead cells .

This treatment can be very effective from an aesthetic point of view. Nonetheless, it can also be very risky for those who decide to experience it.

The benefits of fish pedicure

Using fish that feed on dead cells, fish pedicure helps those who practice it to get rid of dry skin . In particular, this treatment was designed in the east to treat individuals suffering from psoriasis .

Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by the presence of red patches covered with white scales. The latter are simply dry skin that is detached from the rest of the skin.

Although fish pedicure is excellent for treating psoriasis and getting rid of dry skin, its benefits end here , although many others are attributed to this practice.

Risks and contraindications

At the expense of its popularity, this treatment presents numerous risks . Its dangerousness became a cause for attention when the US magazine JAMA Dermatology recounted the experience of an American woman. A few months after undergoing this treatment, the lady lost six nails .

In this specific case it was a detachment of the nails from the underlying skin due to the activity of the Garra Rufa. However, the risks don’t end there. First of all, hygiene factors must be taken into account. In fact, the tanks and fish used are always the same, effectively increasing the risk of infections .

In addition, infections with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium marinum have been associated with this practice . For this reason, fish pedicures have been outlawed in ten US states and Canada.

In short, the risks seem to outweigh the benefits. These treatments are therefore not recommended , especially for those who suffer from diabetes or have a weak immune system .