If someone gives you a gift certificate for a fish pedicure, you might want to throw it back...

Have you heard about the new spa trend called the fish pedicure?

Not only is it creepy – it’s dangerous! You’ll be treated to an invigorating foot bath filled with tiny carp that nibble away at your toes and feet. Apparently, these little fish are even better at removing dead skin than the standard scrapers or clippers used for a pedicure.

The problem is there are serious concerns that these fish pedicures could put you at risk of contracting viruses such as HIV and hepatitis. Conventional sterilization of equipment can’t take place because it would harm the fish – and those little nibblers can get vigorous, causing clients to bleed into spa water that isn’t changed before you take the plunge.

Fish pedicures have already been banned in some areas of the U.S. and Canada - and Britain’s Health Protection Agency warns that even with rigorous hygiene procedures, the risk of infection cannot be ruled out.