Why am I getting severe swelling with Juvederm when I'm ill?

Dear Anon8941Thank you for your question and i am sorry that you are having issues with your fillers. This swelling is uncommon - and can recurr in some people.  It  is an immune reaction - and can be treated with either antibiotics  and or steroid dose pack .  If it keeps happening - you can also have the fillers removed.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Because fillers do not stretch and shrink like normal tissue it is not uncommon that during episodes of illness that they can become more pronounced.  In general this is temporary and resolves once the infection resolves.  Hang in there and talk to your injector, they can provide you with additional reassurance.  If the number of episodes is too great, then I would recommend dissolving the product.  Hope this helps.

I'm sorry to hear of the issues that you are having since your filler treatment. While the reaction you described is uncommon, it can occur in some patients. When you are ill and start to experience swelling it is best to have it treated by your PCP. If desired the filler can be dissolved.

Great question. This is an uncommon but very well know phenomenon with HA fillers. Coined 'cross antigen reaction' - this is when your immune system recognises a part of the filler (antigen) as part of the molecule of a virus, bacterium or atypical - typical mycobacterium infection. This immune reaction then causes inflammation via a cytokine pathway. This leads to swelling. With Juvederm fillers, the break down of Vycross HAs can lead to different immogenic presentations over the years. Relatively straight forward to manage. Some specialists dissolve the filler with Hylase, some choose to manage this TRANSIENT reaction conservatively. Be guided by your injector, as he or she will have their own specific management in context of this well known reaction. Dr Davin S. Lim. Brisbane. Australia.