Do you question that correlation between Botox and Shingles?

Botox does not cause shingles.  I even use it to treat post-herpetic pain in patients.  There is no evidence to date to think otherwise.  I wish you the best of luck, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for your question Robinre. I am sorry to hear about your situation. Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression. Shingles is a virus that many people carry. It lies dormant in nerves and outbreaks are seen during times of stress such as lack of sleep or other changes that occur with aging. Sometimes people do not even know they have it, but it can appear after cosmetic treatments near the area such as injections. This most commonly occurs with deeper treatments such as fractional CO2 lasers. For this treatment in our office we treat our patients who undergo such treatments with preventive anti-viral medications. Usually outbreaks are not seen after Botox treatments. But if they do for my patient I would recommend preventive valacyclovir before and after a treatment. It is important to understand that Botox itself does not cause shingles or herpetic outbreaks, but trauma such as needle injections can induce outbreaks. Research has demonstrated that the shingles vaccine is effective. But nothing is 100% effective. Also the vaccine only lasts for a certain number of years. Some people require re-vaccination more frequently. Please consult with a doctor for specific
recommendations. Good luck!

Botox can not cause the shingles virus.  Shingles is caused by re-activated herpes virus.  Are you sure you are not talking about a herpes virus infection that you are getting repeatedly? If so, you should ask your dermatologist for Valtrex to be treated prophylactically for your infection.  I hope that this information helps.

and shingles basically never occurs more than once and certainly doesn't happen on multiple occasions with the rare exception of some severe underlying disease or immunosuppressive treatment...herpes simplex infections not only recur frequently but may mimic herpes zoster / shingles...assuming you indeed have a viral infection, this is by far the most likely explanation...and the botox per se is unlikely to have anything to do with it...rather it's the actual shot - trauma to the skin...happens all the time...and of course you don't "catch" anything from the sterile medication...if indeed you have an infection with herpes simplex - the cold sore virus - it's something you caught a long time ago...it lives harmlessly and without any hint of its presence and comes out with irritation of the skin...most likely living in your nerves for years to decades...

I have injected Botox for over 15 years. I have injected thousands and thousands and thousands of people with it. As young as 18, and as old as 87. None of them have had shingles outbreaks from it. Unfortunately you could be one of the few that the vaccine clearly doesn't protect and in fact it gave you a form of the virus which your body isn't able to get rid of, even with meds. So, you may always be prone to getting a shingles outbreak anytime something is injected. It isn't the Botox itself; it's the injection. For instance, many people will get a herpes outbreak on their lips if injected with any form of hyaluronic acid. It's not the hyaluronic acid specifically - it's the injection itself. Causing any kind of trauma triggers an outbreak. So in your case, getting Botox, and the injections themselves, can trigger the shingles to rage again. I'm sorry you are going through this, but the best advice is for you to avoid getting injections, of any kind."This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and
cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."