United States: The patients from at least two states were admitted to the hospital with a health condition similar to botulism after many cosmetic injections (which are known commonly as “botox”) were administered to them in surroundings different from those pertaining to medical settings.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Cosmetic injections should be an FDA-approved product, administered by licensed providers and in licensed settings,” and “The sources of these botulinum toxin products are unknown or unverified at this time.”
On the other hand, the CDC and the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted a thorough professional investigation, together with multiple states, as stated by the Tennessee Department of Health on Friday.
According to CNN Health reports, four cases were reported from Tennessee, with two of them needing hospitalization. Not only that but another one in Illinois has been hospitalized, too.
What is Botulism?
The botulism is a rare but severe disease that heals with the toxin generated by a bacterium that destroy the tissues of the nervous system. The symptoms that might be seen is blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, severe respiratory complications, drowsiness, slurred speech, and voice hoarseness.
Paralysis of muscles can advance over the course of several hours to even days off if the treatment is not provided, which even leads to death.
Clostridium botulinum bacteria is one of the elements of Botox and similar cosmetics when we look at the Illinois Department of Public Health view.
The FDA approved the isolated form of the botulinum toxin type A, which is also known as BoNT-A, to be administered by suitable health professionals for cosmetic procedures, they said in an official press statement released on Monday.
The isolated form of the botulinum toxin type A, commonly known as BoNT-A, has been approved by the FDA for use by only licensed healthcare providers for providing cosmetic treatment, as CNN Health reported.
Additionally, according to the CDC reports, the cases confirmed by laboratories about systemic botulism after cosmetic or therapeutic injections of botulinum toxin are extremely rare.
About the cases
Both of the patients from Illinois got injections from a nurse in La Salle County, who was licensed but was “performing work outside her authority.”
Tennessee officials highlighted concerns regarding injections “administered in non-medical settings such as homes or cosmetic spas.”
Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Health Department, said, “Illinois residents should exercise caution when considering cosmetic treatment.”
He added, “Receiving these treatments in unlicensed, unapproved settings can put you or your loved ones at serious risk for health problems. Please only seek cosmetic services under the care of licensed professionals trained to perform these procedures and who use FDA-approved products. If you are experiencing any health problems after a recent cosmetic treatment, please contact your healthcare provider immediately for help and assistance.”