Side Effects of Botox

Whenever I think about Botox, I conjure up a very real image of Joan Rivers’s plastic face.  Now don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of the mouthy comedians work,  just not of the work she’s had done; which by now resembles a permanently surprised burn victim.

Then again, I know Joan’s had a lot of surgical work done, including a full face lift, so I’m being extreme in my imaginings.

Botox was previously known as Botulinum toxin type A.  Glad they changed it.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t wake up thinking, ‘I’m going to inject toxin in my skin this morning so I can look young again.’ (Mind you, give me another ten years and I might just be desperate enough…)

Botox is considered relatively safe, but doesn’t come without side effect warnings.  While most people tolerate Botox without side effects, there are some who don’t fare so well.  Let’s take a look at symptoms you may be subjected to in your quest for lasting youth:

• Droopy eyelids (in up to 3 % of people)
• Nausea (in up to 3 %)
• Muscle Weakness (in up to 2%)
• Facial Pain (in up to 2%)
• Indigestion or heartburn (in up to 1%)
• Tooth problems (in up to 1%)
• High blood pressure (in up to 1%)

Other common side effects manifesting in less than 2% of people were:

• Cough
• Flu-like symptoms including fever and chills
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Soreness or bleeding at the injection site
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Infection
• Sore throat
• Anxiety

Clinical studies were carried out on test subjects to get these results.  They documented the side effect findings of the group administered Botox, to a group not taking the medicine, and compared them.  In this way, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the group not taking Botox.

More serious side effects occurred also, but in far less numbers.  If you are subject to any of the following, you must get treatment immediately:

• Signs of Botulism (where the toxin spreads to other areas.)  Symptoms include-muscle weakness all over the body, blurred or double vision, speech problems, loss of bladder control, difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Signs of allergic reaction-unexplained rash, Hives, swelling of the throat or mouth, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

Now remember, you may not deal with any  side effects of Botox,  but  be aware that they can occur. Your health care practitioner will go over side effects with you prior to treatment.  If you decide you simply cannot look at those frown lines anymore, and people are asking you repeatedly throughout the day if you are ‘angry’, then Botox could be the solution for you.  Just be careful, I’ve heard treatments like these are addicting…you could be a couple of hundred treatments away from looking like Joan. You’ve been warned!

If you want to avoid the Botox route, there are several Botox alternatives on the market that are safe to use if you want to take a more ‘natural’ and affordable approach.