A leading government agency has warned that people have anti-wrinkle injections that are a ‘botox-like product’ without a permit behind a wave of botulism poisoning cases.
Health leaders of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published a warning on Friday afternoon.
It comes after nearly 40 people have attended the NHS health care institutions with adverse reactions to cosmetic procedures with botulinum toxin in the past month.
Reported responses include problems with swallowing, unclear speech and breathing problems that require respiratory support.
All procedures were carried out in the east of England and East Midlands.
The UKHSA said in a statement: ‘Investigations are underway, but so far evidence has suggested the use of a botox-like product without a permit.
“It is understanding that those practitioners involved in this last incident have stopped the procedure and collaborate with the current investigation.”
The cases are a supplement to that recently diagnosed in the Noordoost region and that they are not currently connected.
The outbreak is probably connected to a ‘botox-like product’ without a permit ‘(file photo)
A close -up of botulinum bacteria, which in extreme cases can cause death
The UKHSA also advises people to ensure that they take precautions when searching for aesthetic procedures, including checking whether the use of the product has a permit.
It has also given national advice to clinics to ensure that they look forward to botulism in people who may have had a recent aesthetic procedure to offer them appropriate treatment, including giving anti-toxin.
‘Botox’ is the most recognized brand of dust botulinumtoxin that is usually used to paralyze facial muscles with the aim of reducing wrinkles.
Botulism is a paralyzing-triggering bacterial infection that can cause muscle paralysis, breathing difficulties and even death.
Dr. Gauri Godbole, consultant medical microbiologist at UKHSA, said: ‘We work closely with our partners to reduce the risk of public health and would advise people to ensure that they take precautions when looking for aesthetic procedures.
‘Botulism related to aesthetic procedures is rare, but it can be serious. It is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium -tight tridium botulinum. These toxins (but not the bacteria) are the active ingredient in ‘botox’ and similar products.
‘Symptoms of botulism can take up to four weeks to develop and if you have had a recent botulinum toxin (botox-like) treatment and have symptoms such as swallowing or breathing, contact NHS 111 for further advice and search for treatment.
“If you are considering having a cosmetic procedure, you check that your doctor uses a recognized product.”
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