Will Botox make you have an allergic reaction almost a week later? (photos)

Question

I had Botox last week and yesterday I had an allergic reaction to something and my under my eyes started swelling, I broke out in hives and got two shots from my doctor but under my eye looks like a water pocket. Could that be from the Botox? I have had it done for over a year so I'm wondering if it might be something else? Please help.

Kirk Moore, MD · Answer

Is this the same place you've always been to, same product, same injector? This is NOT typical of anything I've ever seen with Botox, Xeomin, Dysport. It certainly may be an allergic reaction to something, but most likely NOT the botulinum toxin itself, but rather something it is mixed/made with. It could also be an allergic reaction to something else completely, especially given that it is not everywhere else, assuming you've had it injected in other parts of your forehead/face.Sounds to me like you are getting the appropriate treatment, it will just take time for all swelling, inflammation and tissue response you have had to completely resolve.Best.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

This would be very, very unusual. Your doc knows the specifics of how much Botox was injected where and will know best. However, this is a strange time course and unusual response to Botox. I have seen the rare patient (injected by someone else) who had too much Botox placed too close to the center of the eye which caused a temporary eyelid bag. Good luck. It sounds like you're being well cared for and this should resolve if it had anything to do with your Botox injection. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

John Louis Ratz, MD · Answer

An allergic reaction one week after exposure could occur in a delayed hypersensitivity type of allergy. Having had it a year ago without any reaction may have been when your body simply developed recognition of the allergen without actually reacting to it. The next exposure to the allergen could occur one to two weeks after exposure. If exposure is repeated, the reaction will occur faster each time. The question to be answered here is "What is the allergen"? The allergen could be from something totally unrelated to the injection or could be from the material injected. This would include the toxin itself or any component of the "vehicle" in which it is packaged. An actual allergy to a given allergen can be determined by patch testing, the allergy test for delayed hypersensitivity type reactions. Patch tests are usually performed by Dermatologists. The problem will be getting Botox to test you with, without costing an arm and a leg. Do some searching and see if you can find a dermatologist who is a patch test "expert", and see about scheduling an appointment for evaluation and possible testing.             jlr

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Most allergic reactions to Botox would occur in the first 72 hours. Since it has been over a week, you are probably reacting to something else. Try to think if you ate any different foods, used any new products, been around any animals you normally don't see, or spent time outside among a lot of plants. If you cannot determine the problem, you may need allergy testing.

Gustavo A. Diaz, MD · Answer

It would be highly unusual for a patient to have an allergic reaction to Botox one week after injection. The usual window for allergic reactions in in the first couple of hours after being exposed to the agent that triggers the allergy. One week after is very unlikely that Botox was the trigger. Go back in time in your mind and try to see if you can pinpoint when the swelling started and you will be able to identify better the cause of it.Hope this helps,Dr. Gus Diaz

Will Botox make you have an allergic reaction almost a week later? (photos)

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Will Botox make you have an allergic reaction almost a week later? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Allergy

Answer: Allergy

Answer: Allergic reaction to Botox?

Answer: Allergic reaction to Botox?

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Everything you need to know about Botox

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