Fears over fish pedicures dismissed by Oswestry beauty firm

Worries that fish pedicure spas could spread disease have been rubbished by bosses of beauty salons pioneering the treatment in Shropshire.

The fish spas are the latest trend in health and beauty, arriving in Britain from the far east. Tiny garra rufa fish nibble away at customers' feet, which are immersed in tanks for the 15 minute treatment.

The saliva of the fish leaves a potent enzyme which, those behind the spas say, with repeated treatments, get rid of all the dead skin and callouses on feet and hands.

But following reports that the practice is now banned in 14 states in America, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is looking at whether the pedicures could spread infections between people.

An agency spokeswoman said: "Following a number of enquiries to the HPA from local environmental health officers over the past six months, the agency is currently investigating if there are any potential risks of infection associated with the commercial use of fish spa pedicures in the UK.

"The HPA and Health Protection Scotland is currently unaware of any cases of infection associated with the use of the fish spas pedicures in the UK."

The first fish pedicure to be launched in the county was at the Vanity beauty salon in Castle Gates, Shrewsbury

Owner Cassie Newton said: "Our health and hygiene standards are far higher than the minimum that we are expected to follow.

"Our tanks have two filters that constantly filter the water through the system when the legal requirement is one. We also have two and not the one UV light that is recommended. The water is changed daily and we also do daily water quality and bacteria checks.

"Customers' feet are always washed, before and after using the spa and we check people's feet very carefully for open wounds."

She said the spa had been in operation for three months and there had been no problems.

When the Utoeopia fish spa opened at Nail it with Deb in Willow Street, Oswestry, spokesman Zak Manhire said the water was filtered and that people with wounds were not allowed to use the spa.

By Sue Austin