The Doctor Fish

The Balikli fish have made a name for themselves as a human skin doctor. Skin diseases such as acne, eczema and psoriases are successfully cured by these tiny creatures Members of the carp and minnow family, the Cyprinion macrostomus macrostomus and the Garra rufa Obtusa appear to survive the 37 degree water in the spa pools with no ill effects. Due to their supernatural healing power and for their ability to produce healthy, glowing results from even the most crusty or diseased epidermis, some working professors named it doctor fish, also known by the nicknames 'nibble fish' and 'Kangal fish'. The two distinct fish species are also known as ' Strikers ' and ' Lickers' , respectively, apparently due to their natural behaviour in the spa pools.

In Kangal, the water's high temperature makes it difficult for any nutrients to survive. Due to the scarcity of the natural food resources in the pools, human skin seems to be an attractive and easy food source for the fish. The normally vegetarian fish storm the plaques.

Treatment procedure

The patients immerse in the pools and get immediately surrounded by a school of fish starting to nibble at the affected areas of the skin. The fish clear away the scales, causes minor bleeding, and exposes the lesion to beneficial influence of water and sunlight. The mineral content of the spa and the healing effect of the fish begin to manifest simultaneously. Selenium, scientifically proven to be effective in the treatment of skin diseases, and abundant in the spa, starts penetrating with the help of the doctor fishes. The continuous cleaning of the scales increases the effectiveness of the ultraviolet light. The doctor fish can clean the scales of a patient in a few hours, creating a positive

Treatment rules

Psoriasis affected patients should obey the following 7 rules in order to achieve 100% clearing effect on their skin.

1- Drink spring water at least 3 times in the morning on an empty stomach.
2- The treatment should begin on a full stomach, so have a hearty breakfast at the hotel before immersing in the pools.
3- Patients should spend 8 hours a day in the pools (twice daily immersion recommended)
4- Alcohol consumption is absolutely forbidden during treatment
5- No extra medications should be taken during treatment
6- Patient should apply for the 21 day treatment without skipping an immersion.
7- Patients must bring their own slippers, towels and bath materials for hygienic reasons.

What to expect

The fish 'attacks' might cause little pain at first, but then this feeling diminishes. The doctor fish are more likely to tickle than to bite. The feeling is best described as "fingers tapping on your body". However, despite the claims that the fish offer a relaxing "micro-massage", the first exposure to the greedy fish might be somehow frightening. It takes only 2-3 days for patients to get fully accustomed.

Most of the Balikli bathers are enthusiastic about the doctor fish and none has expressed disappointment. According to the Balikli Spa enthusiasts, you emerge from the thermal waters refreshed, healthy, buffed and glowing.

There really is not a lot to occupy your mind creating a stress free atmosphere, which is exactly what you need to help fight the psoriasis. It might be hard conditioning yourself for three weeks solid bathing, but after the first few days when you can literally watch the psoriasis disappear it makes all the effort and cost seem very worthwhile.