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27 views • July 4, 2018
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Fish pedicure causes woman to lose her toenails, report says

Della Sun
A woman has lost her toenails after a fish pedicure. [Shari Lipner, doctor] "A fish pedicure is a treatment in which the feet are immersed in a tub of water at a temperature of 25°C to 30°C that is filled with small fish called Garra rufa or 'doctor fish.' Being omnivores, when there are insufficient plant sources, they will eat human skin." Lipner said it took about six months for the toenails to start falling off. The patient didn't have any other medical history that Lipner could link to the loss. “It is likely due to the fish traumatizing the nail matrix," Lipner said. Lipner couldn't reveal where the woman got her pedicure but noted it’s popular outside the U.S. The treatment is also popular in America but has been banned in at least 10 states. Health concerns include the worry that the fish can transmit infections. [Shari Lipner, doctor] “I do not recommend fish pedicures for any medical or aesthetic purpose.In addition to onychomadesis [toenail loss], there are also serious infections associated with fish pedicures.”
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