At Dr. Appointment the Botox Syringe Exploded All over my Eye Area

Question

I'm very afraid - could I get the botulinum toxin as this was a mucus membrane? Does botox absorb topically?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

This can rarely happen.  It really means that the doc just wasted a bunch of BOTOX.  None of it will be absorbed.  However it is very startling when this happens.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Far more important than the technique is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather than the technique and let them explain why one technique may be better than another.  See the below link on some suggestions on finding the most qualified Plastic Surgeon for you.  Always insist on a board certified plastic surgeon.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Botox is purposely injected into eyemuscles by Ophthalmologists for blepharospasm and as close a procedure this is to the eye, I have never heard of any complication of mucus membrane penetration with visual distrubance. See an ophthalmologist with any new symptom that develops for your reassurance.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

I read your question. Occasionally the needle may pop off during a Botox procedure, and the Botox can squirt over the area of treatment: including your eyes. In my practice, this has not led to any adverse effects for my patients.

	I hope this is helpful for you.

	Regards from NJ.

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD, FACS · Answer

While BOTOX is a botulinum toxin, I would not be concerned if a little bit dripped into the eye area unless you are getting symptoms like redness, irritation, or blurry vision. You can use preservative-free eye drops to flush out the contents from your eye. There have been multiple occasions where BOTOX has dripped on the skin and around the eye and I have not been aware of any serious complications from any of these instances. If you are having any symptoms associated with muscle fatigue, breathing difficulties, or anything systemic, you should see a doctor right away. But, BOTOX making contact with the mucus membrane should not cause a significant problem in small doses.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is highly unlikely that the botox that gets on your skin or on your eyelid mucosa will do any harm.

Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD · Answer

Botox spilled on skin and mucous membrane is not harmful. The risk of absorption from the exposed skin and mucous membranes should be minimal, and so any local effect is highly unlikely.

Mark Taylor, MD · Answer

Occasionally a syringe will leak or become detached during a Botox treatment. In my experience over the past 17 years, this has never caused a problem.

Anita Mandal, MD · Answer

While there is a theoretical risk of the botox being absorbing by the mucous membrane of your eye, in reality this is highly unlikely and you should not have any problem from the syringe explosion.

Joseph Campanelli, MD · Answer

Having a Botox syringe 'explode' is rare. What happened was the needle was not pushed down on to the syringe forcefully enough. Although the likelihood of complications from topical exposure to Botox is remote, there is still some risk. I have to disagree with the other comments. Botulinum toxin is absorbed through the skin and in fact a topical gel form is currently making its way through the FDA. Absorption will be highly correlated with skin thickness and presence of a keratin layer, therefore, Botox would pass easiest through the mucous membranes of the eyes. That said, I am not aware of a single case, anywhere in the world, where topical exposure of Botox to the mucous membranes of the eyes caused any problem.

At Dr. Appointment the Botox Syringe Exploded All over my Eye Area

Answers (15)

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