Series of severe post-botox complications prompts Hong Kong authorities to set up helpline
Two female patients exhibit symptoms of potentially fatal botulism after receiving injections in Shenzhen
Health authorities have activated a hotline for patients who experience complications from cosmetic injections following a series of suspected cases of a rare but serious disease.
As of Monday, the Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection was investigating two suspected cases of potentially fatal botulism following “botox” treatments – injections of botulinum toxin – on the mainland.
The treatment is often used for cosmetic reasons to prevent wrinkles by freezing face muscles.
The first case involved a female patient, 47, who travelled to Shenzhen earlier this month and received injections in her legs. She was admitted to the Caritas Medical Centre accident and emergency department last week and has since been discharged.
Another female patient, who visited a Shenzhen beauty centre in Jiulongcheng Square, Dongmen, received injections to her forehead, cheek, neck and corners of her eyes. A friend of hers also had injections but showed no symptoms of infection.