Urgent warning after several people develop Botulism following Botox injections

1 week ago 6

Health experts have issued a warning (Picture: Getty Images)

People considering receiving aesthetic procedures including Botox are being urged to take precautions.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says ‘several’ people from County Durham and Darlington suffered bad reactions after procedures involving botulinum toxin, also known as Botox.

The victims all developed their symptoms a few weeks after receiving the injection – but evidence so far doesn’t suggest the product has been contaminated.

Reactions include severe drooping of the upper eye lids, double vision, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and lethargy.

UKHSA advises doctors look out for botulism in people who may have recently received an aesthetic procedure, so they can be given the appropriate anti-toxin.

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Dr Joanne Darke from UKHSA said: ‘Botulism is a rare infection, but it can be serious. It is caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

Photo by Hollandse Hoogte/REX/Shutterstock (14838440j) ROTTERDAM - An injection needle with botox at a botox clinic. More and more people are getting with fillers or botox. Between 2019 and 2022, the use of fillers increased by 80 percent and the number of treatments with botox doubled. Use of Fillers and Botox up Sharply, Rotterdam, The Netherlands - 29 Oct 2024

An injection needle with botox at a botox clinic (Picture: Hollandse Hoogte/REX/Shutterstock)

‘These toxins (but not the bacteria) are the active ingredient in Botox and similar products. There are effective treatments available.

‘If you have had a recent botulinum toxin treatment and are having symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or drooping eyelids, contact NHS 111 for further advice and seek treatment.

‘It is important to get checked out so you can have peace of mind and treatment if needed. It is also important to go to a licensed practitioner.’

The UKHSA is reminding anyone considering an aesthetic treatment that practitioners should wear protective equipment and wash their hands, should carry out a pre-consultation, should be prepared to share their qualifications and should require a consent form.

What is botulism? Symptoms and risks

Clostridium bacteria, computer illustration. Clostridia are spore-forming bacteria that include several human pathogenic species, C. difficile, C. tetani, C. botulinum, C. perfringens, and others. C. difficile is a normal inhabitant of the human intestine, but it can become a pathogen when antibiotics disrupt the normal intestinal flora and allow C. difficile to become established in the colon. A toxin produced by the bacteria can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, inflammation of the colon, vomiting and dehydration. C. tetani is the causative agent of tetanus, C. botulinum causes food poisoning botulism, C. perfringens causes gas gangrene and also food poisoning. Clostridium novyi (oedematiens) causes gas gangrene and infectious necrotic hepatitis. The toxins produced by C. tetani (tetanospasmin) and C. botulinum are among the most dangerous known. Some of the clostridia species are involved in the development of bacterial vaginosis.

Botulism occurs when Clostridium botulinum bacteria produces toxins (Picture: Getty Images/Science Photo Libra)

Botulism is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

The toxins attack the nervous system which causes paralysis.

Symptoms can take several days to develop, or appear within hours.

Depending on the exact type of botulism, some people initially have symptoms such as feeling sick, being sick (vomiting), stomach cramps, diarrhoea or constipation.

Other symptoms include:

Drooping eyelids Blurred or double vision Facial muscle weakness Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) Slurred speech Breathing difficulties

Babies suffering from botulism may have a weak cry, find it difficult to feed, or have a floppy head, neck and limbs.

Botulism is a serious condition – if you or someone you know has symptoms, go to your nearest A&E or call 999.

Amanda Healy, County Durham director of public health, said: ‘We are working closely with colleagues at UKHSA to investigate the cause of these adverse reactions and to ensure all possible steps are taken to prevent more people becoming unwell.

‘I would encourage anyone who has recently undertaken an aesthetic procedure, and is experiencing any of the symptoms listed, to contact NHS 111.’

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