Six suffer severe Botox poisoning after treatments, Danish agency warns

Six people on Zealand have been hospitalised with serious poisoning after Botox treatments, DR reports. The Danish Patient Safety Authority is warning the public to choose registered clinics with authorised staff.

The treatments were provided for cosmetic purposes or to reduce excessive sweating. According to the authority, the six patients have not disclosed where the injections were given or who administered them.

The authority said there are strong indications that an unauthorised product was used, either at an unregistered clinic or by an unauthorised practitioner in private homes. It remains unclear whether the poisonings were caused by the product, incorrect dosages or the treatment itself.

Symptoms can appear within days

Symptoms of botulinum toxin poisoning typically appear within hours or days of treatment. They can include double vision and other visual disturbances, difficulty speaking or swallowing, muscle weakness, paralysis and breathing difficulties.

These symptoms differ from common, mild and temporary side effects such as headaches and swelling. The poisoning symptoms are serious and can be potentially fatal.

The toxin can spread through the body and block nerve signals to the muscles, causing them to weaken or become paralysed.

Warning over illegal market

The Danish Patient Safety Authority said illegal cosmetic treatments can cause serious injuries. Patients may also be in a weaker position in potential compensation cases if their treatment was carried out by unauthorised people.

“We continue to see challenges with an illegal market for cosmetic treatments at clinics that lack the necessary healthcare expertise, putting patients’ safety at risk,” the authority said in a press release.

It recommends checking its authorisation register before undergoing treatment.