Flushed red face from eating spicy food two hours after Botox injection. Could the Botox have been diffused all over my face?

Question

I had a jaw muscle reduction botox yesterday at around 11:00am and 2 hours later I ate a bowl of very spice noodle, which resulted in heavy sweating and face flush. I was wondering if my face flush and heavy sweating could have spread the botox to unwanted place in my face and furthermore other part of my important muscle groups such as breathing or swallowing? Thank you so much for any input!

Anita Konka, MD, MPH · Answer

Hi, hopefully by now you are feeling better! Botox injected into the masseter muscle should act on the muscle fibers it was injected into- it would not diffuse across the face.  
Best wishes!

Deborah H. Atkin, MD · Answer

Rest assured, Botox would not diffuse to the entire face. The redness, flushing and sweating would be more likely due to a histamine release due to hot or spicy food or drink.

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

You should be fine. I don't think that the flushing from the spicy food will have caused the Botox to diffuse significantly.

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

Botox cannot diffuse over the face and the most it can is a few cm from the site of injection and that is not very common either so your issue was simply the spicy food. see melvinelsonmd.net for more information

Jo Herzog, MD · Answer

I don't think that your flushing should be any problem to your Botox. Hope your stomach is OK after those hot noodles

Jennifer Trent, MD, FAAD · Answer

You should be fine.  Sweating will not cause it to diffuse away from the treated muscles.  Always seek treatment from a qualified physician.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

You are completely safe. Botox stays where it is physically injected and effects only those muscle groups without any diffusion. Good luck from New York City

Flushed red face from eating spicy food two hours after Botox injection. Could the Botox have been diffused all over my face?

Answers (7)

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