Could This Be an Allergic Reaction to Botox? (photo)

I have a large, soft puffy area in the center of my face on the top of my cheek bone (not near the injection site at all) 5 days after getting 8 units on each side of eyes. It almost seems to be getting worse. There is NO discoloration and does not seem to be a hematoma. There is no pain or tenderness at all.I will go back to the office but it will take time from work. If it was muscle recruitment it seems it would feel like a muscle and not a puffy pillow under the skin. Please help!

Tags:

Comment on this

6 Doctor Answers | Asked by taberdrum

Doctor Answers (6)
Community Comments (1)

Puffiness of the lower eyelid after Botox of the Crows feet

If the side of your eyes were injected, then the crows feet were injected. That should not diminish the pump action of the lower eyelid. Some times the lower eyelid is injected with Botox, for as an example, a hypertrophic, or enlarged, orbicularis oculi muscle. If a patient is prone to swelling, especially when they awake, then the swelling could be worse since the botox has relaxed the eyelid muscles and they cant push the fluid away and help it drain. Your fluid seems to be... more

You should be concerned about an infection

It is hard to tell exactly what is occuring, but sign suggestive of an infection are: 1) Redness 2) Warmth 3) Increase Swelling 4) Pain 5) Fever This is not a normal reaction to Botox. These is something unusual occurring, and you need to seek medical attention ASAP.

Could This Be an Allergic Reaction to Botox? (photo)

Thanks for the question. And yes Dr Curt is correct you are having a rare occurrence of a poor injection technique leading to a cellulitis effect. It seems you were NOT injected by a MD??? And using this excuse about work is a bit foolish. These kinds of infections can become very serious and should not be taken so lightly. Especially by a random posting on a blog like this,CALL the injector ASAP! I recommend IV dose of antibiotics and than a week long series of oral. Please seek medical... more

Allergic reaction

I agree with the other postings. I would suggest you get to a physician for some antibiotics. I think it's coincidental this occurred around your time of Botox injection, especially since you state it's not near the injection sites. This appears to be an infection, and you need some oral antibiotics asap.

BOTOX® Injection Reaction

The picture you provided, suggest an infective process. It is very unlikely that this is related to the BOTOX® injections. I recommend that you see a physician for diagnosis and treatment. You will probably need an antibiotic. Good luck and do not hesitate to see someone.

Strep infection most likely

I suspect you have a staph or strep infection know as Erysipelas or St. Anthony's fire. It is most commonly caused by an acute beta-hemolytic group A streptococcal infection. You will need to be placed on oral antibiotics, such as Azithromycin, Erythromycin, or equivalent that covers for gram positive organisms. I have provided a link for you. You will need to contact your injector or dermatologist, internist or family practice doctor should be able to help you... more

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (1)

taberdrum 30 Jul 2012

Thank you all for you responses. I did go back and am on Cipro and hoping for the best. You are correct, it was not an MD but a RN who did the injection and her technique seemed questionable at the time. I will not make the mistake of using an unqualified injector again. I didn't realize that these people might not be qualified until researching post incident online, and if nothing else, I hope I can serve as a warning to others.

Ask a Question