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Fish pedicure causes woman's toenails to fall off

This is scary. - by Nikki Black
  • 10 Jul 2018

According to a recent study in the journal JAMA Dermatology, the loss of a young woman's toenails in the US has been linked to an infection developed during a 'fish pedicure.' 

The woman sought medical treatment after her toenails began separating from the nail beds six months after the pedicure. 

Reports claim she had no prior history of injury to her feet or toes, no issues with foot fungus and wasn't on any medication.

Doctors concluded the fish pedicure was the likely culprit.

fish pedicure
Getty Images

During a fish pedicure, a client's feet are placed inside a tank with small fish called garra rufa. 

The fish usually eat plankton but will also eat dead skin in the absence of it. 

Authors of the JAMA study warn there are 'inherent risks' associated with fish pedicures. 

The study says, 'Tubs and fish cannot be adequately sanitized between people, and the same fish are typically reused for successive persons.

'There are concerns of transmitting infections...several bacteria capable of causing diseases in humans were isollated from batches of garra rufa and waters from 24 fish spas.' 

This article originally appeared on New Idea.


Gripping podcast How I Survived this week features Rhonda Stapley who accepted a lift from the world’s worst serial killer, Ted Bundy, and lived to tell the tale. Subscribe via Omny: https://bit.ly/2Kshzch  or iTunes: https://apple.co/2KKusdT

How I Survived: that's life launches podcast
Nikki Black
Nikki is obsessed with all things celebrity and dreams she is a long-lost Kardashian. You'll find her binging Netflix's latest 'must-watch' show with a jar of Nutella by her side.

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