Why Am I Getting Hives After 10 Yrs of Using Botox?

asked 1 year ago by tw1966 in Schaumburg, IL
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 514 times
Tags: allergy, hives, reaction

i have been using botox on my forehad for 10 yrs and the last 2 times I have gotten it done I've gotten huge painful hives that last about a week. Am I suddenly allergic or is it the injection technique?

11 answers to Why Am I Getting Hives After 10 Yrs of Using Botox?

Hives after Botox?

Hi TW. We have seen this reaction in one other patient in the past. This particular patient was getting Botox often (many times at less than three month intervals) and developed the same type of reaction to the product you are speaking about. While we are not sure how this allergy/resistance came about, she is no longer able to use Botox (or Dysport). You would be wise to stop having it injected given your reaction to it.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Your hives might not be from the BTX-A

When you are injected with BOTOX® [or other formulations of BTX-A like Dysport® or XEOMIN®] you are also being exposed to other things, for example the benzyl alcohol which acts as both a preservative and a local anesthetic in the normal saline which most physicians use to reconstitute these medications. It might be useful to ask your physician to skin test you to the normal saline which is being used to reconstitute your BTX-A. If you react to the normal saline, it is most... more

Kevin C. Smith, MD
Niagara Falls Dermatologic Surgeon

It certainly sounds like you have developed an allergy to BOTOX.

Please recognize that hives or even anaphylactic reactions, although rare, are described for BOTOX and Dysport. You are now in this camp. Please do not have another treatment of BOTOX or any Botulinum toxin without consulting an allergist. This has noting to do with injection technique. This is a direct and potentially life threatening reaction to something in the product. This could be the botulinum toxin or the albumin in the product. If you have been... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Hives and botox

Physicians need to be scientific in their approach and detectives in solving problems. Several questions need to be asked. 1. Are these truly hives? Hives move, they change within hours. Itchy red bumps that stay put are not hives. 2. Was it a protein in the Botox to which you reacted? 3. Was it a preservative in the Botox? 4. Was this Botox manufactured by Allergan, here in the U.S., or did your doctor purchase it from another source? 5. Are you reacting to a numbing... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Botox and hives

Interestingly enough I just answered this question moments ago to another patient. While I have not seen this in my practice I would strongly suggest that you do not have any further injections until cleared by an allergist. Has the same physician been injecting you for the past ten years or have you changed? There may be a difference in diluting solutions or the amount of dilute, is the botox FDA approved from Allergan, has another similar dirivative been used like Dysport? I would always... more

Michael Elam, MD
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

michaelelammd.com

Botox and hives

It certainly sounds like you are having an allergic reaction to something in the Botox formulation. My recommendation is to stop having any Botox injections and go see an allergist.

Ryan Greene, MD, PhD
Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hives or Allergy after Botox Cosmetic Injection

Allergic reactions or hives may occur from many different substances, including Botox Cosmetic. While rare, allergic reactions have been reported from Botox injections. It's possible to develop an allergy at any time. You should speak with your Botox specialist and be evaluated by an allergist. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can he/she help determine appropriate options for you. Best of luck. Dr. Chaboki

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Allergic to some preservative of Botox solution

The hives are an allergic reaction to something that's in the Botox solution and you should not have another Botox treatment before seeing an allergist and discussing the situation...possible testing etc. When allergic, the reaction to the allergen increases dramatically and can lead to airway constriction and serious medical issues.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox and allergies

Before you consider getting any more Botox injections, I would advise with an allergist if there is a component of the Botox that you have deleoped an allergy to. Most allergies occur after multple and prolonged exposure.

Edward J. Bednar, MD
Charlotte Plastic Surgeon

Botox allergy?

Hives after botox injection is highly unusual but has been reported. You may want to see an allergist to make sure that that is the true allergy and not something else.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Hives after Botox injections

First, please understand that nobody is born allergic to anything. A person may become allergic to a substance (Poison ivy, Nickel,etc) or a drug (Penicillin, Sulfonamide,etc) after prolonmged, repeated exposure, The lists can be endless. As to your reaction to Botulinum Toxin: Botox contains a toxin fraction and a protein fraction. You can become allergic to either or both. The same is true for the newer Dysport. I would be very careful with further injections of Botox in... more