On 29/8, doctors at Bach Mai Hospital's Poison Control Center reported that the women's recovery will be lengthy and the risk of death from paralysis complications remains.
"This is a wake-up call about the lack of understanding and casual approach to using cosmetic treatments containing potent toxins like botulinum," said Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, director of the Poison Control Center.
The first patient, a 34-year-old woman from Hanoi, received botulinum toxin injections in her chin and forehead at home from an acquaintance she met online. Within two days, she experienced a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness, which rapidly progressed to full-body paralysis and respiratory distress. Upon arrival at the hospital, she was conscious but immobile, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation.
The second patient, a 38-year-old woman from Hung Yen, received injections of three different botulinum toxin products (Botox, Re N Tox, and a product with Korean labeling) over two days from an unlicensed individual. Following the final injection, she experienced drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty swallowing, and weakness, leading to near-total paralysis. After several days of treatment, her condition improved, and she was discharged.
"When administered by someone without specialized medical training, botulinum toxin poisoning can easily lead to full-body paralysis, intestinal paralysis, abdominal distension, and cardiac arrhythmia," Dr. Nguyen explained.
Botulinum toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is classified by the World Health Organization as one of the most potent neurotoxins. A dose of 0.09 micrograms injected intravenously can be fatal for a 70 kg adult.
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Doctors at the Poison Control Center check a patient's muscle reflexes. Photo: Nguyen Ha |
Doctors at the Poison Control Center check a patient's muscle reflexes. Photo: Nguyen Ha
In medicine, botulinum toxin type A is legally used in neurology, rehabilitation, and cosmetic procedures (wrinkle reduction, facial slimming). However, the difference between an effective treatment and a medical disaster depends on three factors: the practitioner, the facility, and the source of the drug, according to Dr. Nguyen.
Experts say that even specialist cosmetic doctors must exercise extreme caution when using botulinum toxin products. Even with the same ingredients and dosage, products from different manufacturers can have varying effects and toxicity levels.
"Nerve damage from botulinum toxin is irreversible. The body has to regenerate new nerve pathways, much like a tree that has been cut down has to regrow its branches," Dr. Nguyen explained. This process takes from two to four months or longer, during which patients are at high risk of death from respiratory failure, pneumonia, bedsores, intestinal obstruction, and hospital-acquired infections.
Doctors strongly advise against receiving botulinum toxin injections at home or in facilities without a license to practice specialized cosmetic medicine. These procedures should only be performed in licensed hospitals or medical facilities by qualified cosmetic doctors experienced in using botulinum toxin.
Le Nga
