subject: Botox - Dealing With Small Side Effects [print this page] As most people know by now, Botox is a relatively harmless treatment for migraines and facial wrinkles. While the long term effects are generally nonexistent, there are some small short term side effects that can be annoying, especially for someone who is getting the procedure done for the first time. These side effects will clear up in a short time, but until then, here are some tips for dealing with them.
To be prepared, make sure and discuss all possible side effects of Botox with your doctor. They will be able to advise you based on their experience with the exact treatment you're receiving. Different levels of injection can lead to different and varying levels of side effects. It may be interesting to note that it is those injections themselves that will lead to the side effects, rather than the toxin. Either way, you'll want to be prepared for anything so that you don't have any unpleasant surprises along the way.
Multiple injections can lead to swelling along the entrance sites. This swelling won't last long, but you can treat it with an ice pack. Most doctors will provide you with one at the clinic, but if they don't, you can always purchase one at your local pharmacy. In lieu of an ice pack, a cold freezer bag full of corn or some other frozen produce will make an acceptable substitute.
It's unlikely that your doctor will prescribe any pain medication, as the pain should be slight. Still, if you are having pain along the injection sites, over the counter ibuprofen is the best treatment. Prefer ibuprofen over Tylenol or Aspirin because it has anti-swelling properties that can work in tandem with the ice packs. Make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle for dosing. If the pain is severe, notify your doctor, as this is not normal.
Allergies to Botox injections is rare, but not unheard of. In order to avoid a situation or to be prepared should it arise, make sure and disclose your full medical history to your doctor before having the session. If you do have an allergic reaction (your doctor should inform you ahead of time what that will look like), make sure and report this as soon as it happens. Tell your doctor about any allergies you've had in the past, especially if they are medicinally related. Keep an open dialogue with your doctor and you'll be much more likely to have many problem-free sessions.
