There’s a Botox-Related Botulism Outbreak in the UK — Here’s How to Stay Safe If You’re Considering Tweakments

Pattern made with many plastic disposable sterile syringe and sealed vial of liquid remedy placed on pastel peach orange background with shadows and light reflections.

When done well, Botox, or botulinum toxin, can be a transformative cosmetic treatment, smoothing wrinkles and softening expression lines in a way that looks refreshed rather than frozen. But with cases of botulism poisoning reported in the UK, this isn't a tweakment to take lightly.

Botulism poisoning is a serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The toxin attacks the body's nervous system, which can lead to paralysis, vision problems and even life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing. The bacteria can be found in certain foods that have not been properly canned, preserved or cooked, and is also able to enter the body by an open wound. Luckily, it's incredibly rare with only six cases of botulism poisoning requiring treatment recorded in the whole of England in 2023.