In today’s scenario fish pedicure is becoming very popular, especially in teenagers, where tiny fish eat away at the dead or hard skin on the feet, leaving them super soft and smooth. Britain's Health Protection Agency has warned customers seeking the unconventional spa treatment, as the practice could potentially spread infections such as HIV and hepatitis C.

The HPA has found that the tank water contains a number of micro-organisms and that infections could be transmitted either from fish to person during the nibbling process or from water to person from the bacteria in the tank. Blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis could be transmitted if infected clients bleed into the spa water and it is reused. People with certain health conditions that make them vulnerable to infection, such as diabetes, psoriasis or weakened immune systems, should avoid receiving the fish pedicures