Fish Spa Feasts on your Flesh
Welcome back!
Fish Spas are the latest growing trend for designer spas in China, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey. The spas are stocked with a small tropical fish — called Garra Rufa, also known as Chinchin Yu, Turkey fish, nibble fish and doctor fish — which can thrive in temperatures up to 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius), as a natural method for treatment of skin diseases.
The hot spring ‘fish spa’ in Huizhou, south China’s Guangdong Province. Photo: photo.eastday.com
They only feed on the affected and dead areas of the skin, leaving the healthy skin untouched to heal and rebuild. The process is said to be free of pain, leaving the patient with a pleasant tingling sensation, reports CRI English.
These spas shouldn’t be considered as a means to a cure, but for means of a temporary treatment option for symptoms, requiring repeated visits for therapy every few months. Although some patients claim to have experienced complete cure of psoriasis after repeated treatments, the unpredictable nature of the disease, which is strongly influenced by external factors, may simply be a regression.
Bathers soaking in a hot spring basking in a ‘fish spa’ in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province. Photo: photo.eastday.com
This species of fish are often found in the river basins in the Middle East, including Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey. They’re legally protected from commercial exploitation in Turkey due to concerns of over-harvesting for export.
The first Asian Doctor Fish spa resort opened in Hakone, Japan in 2006, where the fish are used to clean the feet of the bathers. These fish spas have become increasingly fashionable at resorts in China and South Korea.
Fish Massage
Fish massage at Underwater World’s fish spa.
Yuck, that gives me the willies!! I do not think I would enjoy that at all.
I’m totally sure I would freak out if I were in that fish spa… I once got nibbled on when taking a dip when we was at a Greek island – I had a tiny wound on my heal which one fish couldn’t let alone. It was not nice I can tell you – he took small bites of the wound!!!! I had to move around all the time. Not exactly what I would call a relaxing bath…. *giggles*
I wonder if they are related to leeches Deborah……:0
I don’t know whether I could handle being nibbled at….I think I’ll stick to looking at our cute non nibbling goldfish
Ouch!! that feels painful! anything is possible these days
Hey Deborah… I just noticed my site on your sidebar … thank you soo much! talk to you soon…
Tom, you won’t see me standing in line to get in, haha!
Lifecruiser, it gives me the creeps just thinking about it. That must have been painful nibbling at flesh that’s already raw to begin with.
Aren’t leeches more like slugs Kim? These are actual fish. Either way, it doesn’t appear to be the pleasant experience they’re stating it is. Just look at them swarming around the lower legs of these people like piranhas. But, if it’s actually helping some people …
And some people will do crazy things to be part of the cool chichi poo poo.
Happy to have you holding a place on my sidebar Pearl girl
Wow! Now, this is interesting! It’s my first read on fish massage! How cool can you get? I for one would love to try it! Any form of massage is cool in my book!
By the way, Deborah, I’ve submitted an entry to a local contest – 2007 Wika Project. It focuses on Filipino as our national language. If you have time, please vote for my article (if you like the piece, of course).
The URL is at http://anitokid.blogspot.com/2007/08/filipino-bonding-nation-and-its-people.html
Much thanks!
AnitoKid
Hi Deborah! Saw your vote! Thanks! However, there was some confusion with regards to the voting – and everyone has to vote again to be counted. Hoping for your kind consideration, my friend. Sorry for the bother! My sincerest apologies. Much thanks!
URL: http://anitokid.blogspot.com/2007/08/filipino-bonding-nation-and-its-people.html
Haha, well you’re the first one to say so Anitokid.
Voted for you again
I tried to leave a comment on your post but my browser kept crashing on me. Maybe there’s some script that wasn’t working for me. I keep receiving a message to update Java but haven’t done it yet.
All the best and good luck with your competition! You’re doing the best so far from what I could see
This would be a fun experience to have all these tiny fish nibbling on your body! Would you like to try it too?
How about if we use you as the guinea pig, and you can let us know first-hand Kuanyin, hehe.
I must admit the idea of several hundred hungry mouths feeding on my flesh as I try to relax in water isn’t what I would enjoy… Interesting story though…
I’m with you Texas, and thanks
Hi Deborah,
Nice site you have here! And great stories too. I am very ticklish so I am not too sure if the fish spa would be something for me. Love to give it try, though!
Cheers!
Stefan
Thanks Stefan
Since you’re ticklish, maybe we’ll have to set a timer to see how long you last 
Thats certainly food for thought, where can I get more information on this?