At least 19 women in nine states reportedly became ill after receiving Botox, either after receiving the injections from people who were never licensed or trained to administer the injections or after receiving them in “non-medical environments.” including homes or spas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.
Nine of the 19 patients were hospitalized, the CDC said. Four “were treated with botulinum antitoxin due to concerns that botulinum toxin could spread beyond the injection site.”
Botox uses a purified form of a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin that stops muscles from moving for a period of time. The product is often used to prevent or reduce facial wrinkles. When the toxin is found in food, it can cause widespread paralysis or even death.
But when injected carefully, botulinum toxin is generally considered safe. Too much in the wrong place can be damaging, according to the CDC.
Cases have been detected in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee and Washington. No deaths have been reported.
It is unclear whether these reactions were the result of counterfeit products, contamination, or poor hygiene practices. The CDC investigation is ongoing, the agency said.
The Food and Drug Administration said in a statement Friday that it was involved in the investigation.
Warnings about medical procedures at unregulated medical spas are growing. Colorado health officials told NBC News they are investigating a case of botulinum-like illness after an unlicensed provider injected a patient with what was allegedly botulinum toxin. The Illinois patients received shots from a nurse “who was performing work outside of her authority,” according to the state’s public health department.
Problematic reactions to botulinum toxin injections include:
- blurred or double vision
- drooping eyelids
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- dry mouth
- speech problems
- fatigue and weakness.
News Source : www.nbcnews.com
Gn Health
