Are There Options to Botox in Relation to the Preservatives Found in Them?

After receiving several botox injections (4 sessions over a 12 month period with varying number of units) I experience itchyness that becomes unbearable if I do not take my OTC allergy pills. It starts in my hands and feet and then by day 3 it's on my legs and eventually the trunk of my body. I do not use any sort of numbing cream, pain killers or injections prior to the botox injections. Can one shop around for botox with different preservatives?

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3 Doctor Answers | Asked by spilk

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Allergy to Botox, is it real and how to avoid it

If you are having this experience as you describe, it may be that Dysport or Xeomin, may not produce the same reaction. However, although the proteins might be slightly different in the different botuliinum toxins than Botox, they are similar enough, that if you are having a true allergy, it is best not to chance it by trying more of the same or different brand until you see an allergist. Furthermore, to complicate the investigation, it might be the diluent, not the Botox. In other... more

Allergy to Botox might be the saline used, not Botox

I have had a patient who was allergic to the preservative in the saline used to mix up the Botox. An easy test would be to draw up the preserved saline and inject a small amount into the forearm and see if you get an allergic reaction. The client still gets Botox now, but with preservative free saline.

Steven F. Weiner, MD

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Pensacola Facial Plastic Surgeon

theclinique.net

The very best option here is to discontinue the use of botulinum toxin agents.

Generally this treatment is completely elective. There is absolutely no reason to subject yourself to the risk of an allergic reaction. WIthout very expensive allergy testing, it is not possible to know what component of the botox you are having an allergy to. Perhaps it is the agent itself in which case even the alternative botulinum toxin products might cause a similar reaction. I say just forget about BOTOX and consider alternative treatment methods. more