Allergy to filler?

Question

I am a 26 year old female with medium to tan skin. The last time I got lip filler, 2 weeks later, my lips were diffusely covered with cold sores. I did not think they were linked with filler due to the timeline. My cheek also had a raised itchy rash. After now receiving a lip flip, I have a similar tingling sensation on my lip and the same cheek rash. I never experienced this prior with botox or filler. Are they linked? How can I avoid in the future?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

While it's difficult to determine the exact cause of your symptoms without a thorough medical examination, it's possible that you may have experienced an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the lip filler or lip flip procedure.

Allergic reactions to lip fillers are rare, but they do occur and can lead to symptoms such as a rash, hives, itching, and swelling. In some cases, these reactions may be delayed, occurring a few days to a couple of weeks after the procedure.

It's also important to note that cold sores can be triggered by trauma to the lips, which includes injections for lip fillers or lip flip procedures. If you have a history of cold sores, any kind of lip procedure could potentially trigger an outbreak.

To avoid these reactions in the future, I would suggest the following steps:

1. Consult with your doctor or dermatologist: They can perform allergy tests to determine if you are allergic to any of the components in lip fillers.

2. Discuss your history of cold sores with your doctor: If you have a history of cold sores, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to take before and after the procedure to help prevent an outbreak.

3. Consider alternative treatments: If you are indeed allergic to a specific filler, your doctor may be able to suggest an alternative product that you won't react to.

4. Ensure your provider is experienced: Make sure the person administering your fillers is a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who understands the intricacies of the procedure and can handle complications if they arise.

Remember, it's crucial to discuss these symptoms with your healthcare provider to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Since you developed cold sores after the filler, you need to avoid getting any filler to your lips or nearby areas.  The virus stays with you and can be transferred.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

While allergic reactions to filler and Botox are rare, the symptoms you describe could indicate an allergic reaction.  Cold sores are sometimes triggered by receiving fillers to the lips.  You may want to consider taking medication like Valtrex prior to injections to help prevent them in the future.  I encourage you to visit with a dermatologist for the rash you are experiencing.

Allergy to filler?

Answers (3)