Can botox cause reactions such as thrush and bumps on the throat? Can it accelerate dormant auto immune disorders?

Question

Botox 2 yrs ago caused bumps & thrush on my tongue and throat & ear canals felt excoriated. Drs say no correlation. Tongue/throat healed after 3 mths zantac BID. joint pain, fatigue, foggy brain went away. 2 years later (3 wks ago), got botox again. In 3 days, painful bumps/thrush on tongue/throat, ear canals excoriated. symptom relief with consistent Zantac BID. joint/bone pain, foggy brain, fatigue requiring daily naps. Since botox, mild thyroid issue advanced to hashimotos with peroxidase result > 600

Ava T. Shamban, MD · Answer

It is very unlikely that Botox is responsible for your thrush. However, it is not entirely impossible that Botox stimulated your immune system causing you to be more susceptible to secondary infections such as thrush. With Hashimoto's, any insult to your immune system can exacerbate illness, so make sure to follow up with your immunologist.

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Sorry to hear of your health issues. Botox is not commonly known to cause such medical problems. You seem to have an immunologic disorder. Perhaps evaluation with an infectious disease specialist or rheumatologist will provide you with some answers. Good luck.

Thomas Guillot, MD (retired) · Answer

I am not familiar with these symptoms being caused by injection of Botox. And I have not experienced these problems in my practice.  You may want to see an immunologist for evaluation of your complaints and see if there is a correlation.

Can botox cause reactions such as thrush and bumps on the throat? Can it accelerate dormant auto immune disorders?

Answers (3)