Alicia Hallock took Botox injections to help with her migraines. She almost died and was partially paralyzed.
Hallock, 36, went viral last month when she shared her story on social media. It was a rare complication that spread to her neck muscles, causing problems such as neck paralysis, droopy eyelids, blurred vision, dizziness and speech problems. Even more frightening were problems with dysphagia, a condition that makes swallowing difficult that can lead to choking on saliva and botulisma serious disease that affects the body’s nerves.
“I could have died,” she wrote on Instagram Position last week while still recovering from the incident. “There were many moments that made me realize how lucky I was to get help when I did.”
Hallock told her more than 7,000 followers that the conditions could take “weeks to clear up” before she can see, eat, drink and move normally again. Should her case make you think twice about getting Botox? Here’s what the experts say.
Is Botox safe?
Hallock’s case, while troubling, is an anomaly, her doctors told her. The American Society of Plastic Surgery agreescalling Botox-induced botulism symptoms “highly unlikely.”
Botox injections use the same type of toxin that causes foodborne botulism — although this form of toxin is purified and meets Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, according to Mayo Clinic. The injections work by using this toxin “to prevent a muscle from moving for a limited period of time,” which can help smooth wrinkles, treat sweating, migraines and other conditions.
“Every doctor in my case was shocked to hear what happened and how it got so dangerously serious,” she wrote. “A doctor had treated foodborne botulism, but no one involved in my care had ever seen it from Botox injections. People have Botox complications, even experiencing some or all of the symptoms I have. However, it is It’s extremely rare for me to have many symptoms to the severity or degree that I had. So the hospital is doing a case study on me and this strange situation we’re experiencing.”
More often, Botox complications can include bruising or headaches, dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky says USA TODAY.
“Rarely, when injected incorrectly, Botox can cause feelings of heaviness, drooping of the brow, or other unwanted asymmetry depending on the areas injected,” adds Zubritsky.
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What happens if you stop Botox?
When worked properly, Botox results typically last for 3 or 4 months, Zubritsky says, though she notes that it “totally depends” on the person.
“Contrary to popular belief, Botox doesn’t just stop working one day,” he says. “After botox is injected, it takes several weeks—about 5 to 6—to achieve maximum effectiveness. After that, muscle activity slowly begins to return to baseline over the next few weeks to months.”
Who Should Avoid Botox?
Botox “is considered safe and effective for most people,” Zubritsky says. He recommends that those who are pregnant, allergic to Botox or have certain neuromuscular disorders refrain from use.
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This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Is Botox safe? What you should know, who should avoid the procedure
