Doctor fish
Reddish Saugbarbe ( Garra rufa)
The Reddish Saugbarbe ( Garra rufa), English doctor fish, is an up to 14 centimeters large schooling fish of the carp family (Cyprinidae ). She lives near the ground and is naturally present in the Jordan, in the Orontes, the Euphrates - Tigris system as well as in some coastal rivers of northern Syria and southern Turkey. Especially a population from the Kangal region of Turkey, which is why it is also called Kangalfische became known. It is characterized by a reddish coloration of the caudal fin. The species was first mentioned in 1843 by biologist Johann Jakob Heckel.
Skin Care by Saugbarben
The Reddish Saugbarben from the region Kangal naturally live in an average of 35 ° C warm, nutrient- poor waters ( hot springs ). Under these conditions, it is for the fish represents an evolutionary advantage, zuzuschwimmen without fear, for example, on people and there nibble the soggy upper skin layers. Sometimes this process is also described as a " nudge " the affected skin of subjects. Here, solve skin particles and be eaten by the fish. This is particularly easy in keratinization disorders, such as psoriasis or ichthyosis. There are also reports of eczema, acne or eczema patients, which give the fish in this way relief and assistance.
Due to the mild mechanical removal of the hyperkeratotic plaques psoriasis actually visible forms, respectively, mainly due to the interaction with the sun - because the treatment is usually done in a pool under the open sky. Reports in which the secretion of dithranol -containing secretion is reported by the fish, are not valid because it is dithranol is a synthetically produced substance that is used as a drug in medicine to treat psoriasis. Unlikely are also reports that the " nibbling " of the fish on the human skin saliva is injected into the skin. The jaws of Garra rufa do not seem to allow an anatomical point of view this process.
The reports of medical successes of the Reddish Saugbarben and rejuvenating or skin-cleansing function of the " nibbling " have led to a boom of trade with small carp fishing. They can now buy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland or rent. There they are known as Kangalfische or nibble. Otherwise, you can book in spas or baths with their own stock cures. In Turkey, health insurance companies to provide payments to health care in their home area of the fish.
Health risks
The application of the Reddish Saugbarbe human infection involves hygienic risks. The public health service Mecklenburg- Vorpommern ( MV EGD ) points out that, for example, Erysipelothrix spp., Mycobacterium marinum and Vibrio can be transmitted to humans vulnificus from fish. Was unclear whether skin or blood germs of man can be passed over the fish from one person to another person. With the risk of transmission is handled differently in the Central European treatment centers: Either the fish are used in several patients and subjected between two operations of a quarantine or they are killed after treatment to exclude any risk of microbiological transmission of pathogens by the fish to humans. However, it should, according to EGD MV unclear what effect the temporary quarantine of fish on the human-to -human transmission risk, especially in certain blood contact infections is a long incubation period.
Scientists at the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA ) estimated in October 2011, the risk of infection at a " fish pedicure " as a whole "probably very low", provided that appropriate hygiene standards are met. The working group concluded that customers probably would have an increased risk of infection with weakened immune systems or background diseases, including diabetes and psoriasis. The fish pedicure is not recommended for such customers, the suppliers should waive the Apply this group.
Legal review
Due to the international popularity of the export of Reddish Saugbarbe in Turkey is now a punishable offense.
The State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection of North Rhine -Westphalia indicates that Garra rufa is fully protected as a vertebrate according to the German animal protection law. A commercial attitude to cosmetic and wellness purposes is not permissible via According to this view, because the fish unavoidable pain, suffering and damage that would be dealt by the attitude that are inconsistent with a reasonable basis in line. Legally, Kangalfische when used in humans, similar to the medicinal leeches or maggots for treating wounds, to be a medicinal product. If they are used for the relief or cure of diseases, a medical practitioner permit is required. The Hessian Ministry of Environment banned in mid-January 2012, the commercial use of Kangalfischen with regard to animal welfare. Also in Bavaria and Baden- Württemberg there are similar regulations.
The Swiss Federal Veterinary Office ( FVO ) is recommended in a technical information from February 2012 law enforcement agencies to reject requests by use of Kangalfischen for cosmetic purposes and refers to Article 3, letter a and Article 4, paragraph 2 of the Animal Protection Act. Such use would be regarded as a " disregard for the dignity of the beast" or " undue exploitation " as part of the balancing of interests. The benefits for the people was less weight than the stress for the fish. In connection with the use of the fish, it 'll inevitably lead to stressful situations, involves a significant risk of injury, especially when moving the animals.
In some states of the USA, the use of Garra rufa was banned for " fish pedicure " because of hygiene concerns.