The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has identified a source associated with multiple recent cases of botulism.As of Saturday, 10 cases of suspected iatrogenic botulism are under investigation, all associated with injections performed at Rodrigo Beauty, located at 464 Granite Ave. in Milton, Massachusetts, the DPH said.The cases are linked to cosmetic botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, injections, which are widely used for cosmetic purposes to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.”While generally safe when administered by trained professionals, improper dosing, administration technique, or use of non-FDA-approved products may increase the risk of systemic botulism symptoms,” the DPH said.The DPH said iatrogenic botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by botulinum toxin spreading beyond the injection site, potentially leading to life-threatening symptoms.”Of course when we think of botulism, we think of a really deadly disease that can cause paralysis and then eventually death,” said Bianca Paraison of The Luxe Dose, a medical spa in Belmont.Paraison has been administering cosmetic injectables since 2008. She says it is important that injectors tell their patients about all the possible outcomes. “They’re going to take the time to be up talk to you and explain to you possible complications, explain to you possible side effects and explain to you how they would handle those in the case that they would happen,” Paraison said. “It would be extremely rare to develop this kind of complication from a product that was directly from a pharmaceutical company.”Importantly, she says patients should make sure their injector is a licensed professional. “Every state has different laws, so depending on what state you’re in, you want to make sure that you know who’s licensed to administer,” Paraison said. “In Massachusetts, it’s very tightly regulated. You have to be a medical professional.”Initial botulism symptoms can include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. These symptoms could be followed by a descending, symmetric muscle weakness that progresses over hours to days.The DPH said anyone who received Botox injections at Rodrigo Beauty between May 1 and June 4 this year is strongly urged to contact the DPH at 617-983-6800 or their local board of health immediately, even if they are not currently experiencing symptoms. Anyone experiencing any symptoms should immediately visit an emergency room.It is not yet clear whether there are any other sources related to the recent botulism cases.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has identified a source associated with multiple recent cases of botulism.
As of Saturday, 10 cases of suspected iatrogenic botulism are under investigation, all associated with injections performed at Rodrigo Beauty, located at 464 Granite Ave. in Milton, Massachusetts, the DPH said.
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The cases are linked to cosmetic botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, injections, which are widely used for cosmetic purposes to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
“While generally safe when administered by trained professionals, improper dosing, administration technique, or use of non-FDA-approved products may increase the risk of systemic botulism symptoms,” the DPH said.
The DPH said iatrogenic botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by botulinum toxin spreading beyond the injection site, potentially leading to life-threatening symptoms.
“Of course when we think of botulism, we think of a really deadly disease that can cause paralysis and then eventually death,” said Bianca Paraison of The Luxe Dose, a medical spa in Belmont.
Paraison has been administering cosmetic injectables since 2008. She says it is important that injectors tell their patients about all the possible outcomes.
“They’re going to take the time to be up talk to you and explain to you possible complications, explain to you possible side effects and explain to you how they would handle those in the case that they would happen,” Paraison said. “It would be extremely rare to develop this kind of complication from a product that was directly from a pharmaceutical company.”
Importantly, she says patients should make sure their injector is a licensed professional.
“Every state has different laws, so depending on what state you’re in, you want to make sure that you know who’s licensed to administer,” Paraison said. “In Massachusetts, it’s very tightly regulated. You have to be a medical professional.”
Initial botulism symptoms can include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. These symptoms could be followed by a descending, symmetric muscle weakness that progresses over hours to days.
The DPH said anyone who received Botox injections at Rodrigo Beauty between May 1 and June 4 this year is strongly urged to contact the DPH at 617-983-6800 or their local board of health immediately, even if they are not currently experiencing symptoms.
Anyone experiencing any symptoms should immediately visit an emergency room.
It is not yet clear whether there are any other sources related to the recent botulism cases.
