I Had Botulism As an Infant. What Can I Use As an Alternative to Botox?

I had Infant Botulism at 6 months and my father has told me never to get Botox injections as an adult because I am allergic. I am reaching towards 30 and am looking for a safe alternative.

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by MiszBuf10 in Kuwait

Doctor Answers (6)
Community Comments (4)

Botulism and Botox

Botulism as a child may have left you with antibodies to the toxin. In my practice I have treated CDC workers who were immunized 20 years ago against botulinum toxin, and have found cosmetic treatments to be very effective. In large part the success or failure of your treatment will rest on if you still have adequate immune cells with the ability to produce botulinum toxin antibodies in your system. Probably the best test is to try a cosmetic dose and see what effect you will achieve.... more

Botox now if one had botulism as an infant

Although it may be completely safe and effective for you to have Botox injected now as an adult despite your having been afflicted with botulism as an infant, I'm not sure if there has been a documented case of this having been done before. You might have developed some immune cells from your exposure to the botulism and it might be that with repeated Botox you will not get an effective result because your immune cells may attack the botox molecule. You may not be allergic to it but... more

Botulism versus Botox injection

Botulism. the disease, is commonly due to oral intake of the bacteria or toxin produced by the bacterial via the GI tract or transmission through open wounds. Generally it results in sytemic disseminaiton of the toxin with paralysis as the consequence. Botox treatment consists of localized injection of minute quantities of the toxin that, for the most part, are active in a very targeted region with the desired effects. It is unlikey that you are allergic but could undergo skin testing.... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Botulism as an infant and Botox

You should not expect an allergic reaction. There may be however less effect of Botox, because of antibodies from the botulism that neutralise your injection. Give it a try.

Botulism will likely not cause an allergy to Botox

I do agree with my colleague that, given your history of botulism, you should pursue allergy testing before cosmetic Botox injections. However, your infant botulism resulted from exposure to massive quantities of botulinum toxin into your bloodstream rather than an allergy. The cosmetic doses are a minute fraction of botulinum toxin compared to your exposure as an infant. However, better to be safe than sorry especially prior to pursuing elective treatment. Best, Dr. Stephen Weber. Lone Tree... more

You may or may not be allergic to Botox.

Before having Botox in this circumstance it might be reasonable to have allergy testing to Botox. The can be done with a a tiny does of Botox. Consult a dermatologist in your area.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

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Comments (4)

Career 30 Oct 2012

I wouldn't do it! There is a very ugly dark side to Botox that is kept very secret. If you google sick from Botox you will find hundreds maybe thousands of people very very sick from Botox, cosmetic Botox getting into their systems. It mimics botulism, but it's called iogenic botulism. Unfortunately doctors don't have research or data on this and they just tell patients what Allergan teaches them, which isn't completely true! If it gets into your system, and it can happen from even the best injectors in the world, you can be very sick for many years. No one knows the long term effects or damage it does on your system, especially if youv already experienced botulism, it's like hell on earth! I had an adverse event from Botox 9 Months ago and was hospitalized. My doctor was board certified and highly paid from Allergan. I had a very small amount and did everything that my doctor told me to. Shame on you doctors!!!! Your nervous system may not be able to tolerate Botox.

Career 30 Oct 2012

Also, there is a black box warning on Botox. Please do your homework and talk to a neurologist before you make a decision. Your health is worth it.

freckles1 2 Dec 2012

Thank You for your comment. I actually was someone who got very sick from Botox. It effected my nerves, leaving me with uncontrollable twitching in my neck and shoulders, thought I was getting Parkinson disease, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, nausea, and just a strange over all head feeling... My DR thought my I have some sort of connective tissue disease or Autoimmune, but they couldn't find anything, except for low C3 blood test that concluded my body was fighting some sort of infection. These symptoms lasted for as long as the botox did and even a little while after.. I will NEVER do botox again and I went to a very reputable plastic surgeon. Now I use frownies, which help a little, but almost 41, wish there was a more natural alternative. I have been reading up on a treatment that freezes the nerve as acts like a botox, with no toxin or side effects. It is FDA approved in Europe and we are waiting for it to be approved in the US. Hopefully it will come soon!!!

lindi7777 22 Oct 2012

I had botulism 10 years ago when i was 31, and nearly died from it. Today being 41 and having crows feet i was thinking about having cosmetic botox to help with this. However not knowing that botox is made from botulism, just finding out recently,, is it safe for me to have cosmetic botox?

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