Severe allergic reaction 9 years after silicone injection for nose augmentation.

Nine years after having silicone injected into his nose and cheeks at a cosmetic clinic, Mr. H. (40 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) developed chronic allergies, frequently experiencing hives, sensitivity to smells, and requiring emergency treatment multiple times due to anaphylactic shock.

Previously, he had injected liquid silicone, a type of filler that has been banned from use, hoping to enhance his nose, fill in sunken cheeks, and smooth his smile lines according to feng shui principles.

Illustrative image.

However, after the cosmetic procedure, his body began to react abnormally to various scents from cosmetics, perfumes, toothpaste, detergents, and even the body odor of other people in elevators or supermarkets.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Thi Lam, Head of the Clinical Immunology Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, silicon is a non-degradable polymer compound. When injected into the body, it is recognized as a foreign object by the immune system. Silicon does not dissolve but spreads and clumps under the skin, causing prolonged inflammation, leading to a loss of immune control and abnormal sensitivity to many substances.

Mr. H.'s case is a typical example of chronic allergic reactions resulting from complications after silicone injections, with symptoms not limited to the skin but spreading to serious systemic reactions such as anaphylactic shock.

Over the years, Mr. H. has had to regularly use allergy medication containing corticosteroids. However, prolonged and improper use has led to Cushing's syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, and diabetes.

According to Dr. Lam, corticosteroids can be life-saving in acute allergic reactions, but misuse or prolonged self-medication can lead to a series of dangerous endocrine disorders.

After a specialist consultation, the doctors determined that the best treatment option was surgery to remove the clumps of silicone. However, because the substance had been present in the body for too long, causing complex chronic inflammation, combined with underlying conditions such as adrenal insufficiency and diabetes, surgery would pose a significant risk to the patient's life.

Mr. H. refused surgery, so the doctors switched to medical treatment, focusing on controlling the allergy and stabilizing the underlying condition to prevent complications.

Because the body reacts to many common medications, doctors are forced to choose less effective drugs, leading to longer, more expensive treatments with the potential for more side effects.

Ultimately, the chosen solution was to use a biological drug containing omalizumab, a monoclonal antibody effective in treating severe allergic reactions. The treatment consisted of 6-8 injections, once a month, which helped control symptoms without affecting the already weakened adrenal glands.

After four injections and strict adherence to the treatment protocol, Mr. H.'s allergy improved significantly, reducing by about 70%. He was able to use some antibiotics, and his sensitivity to scents also decreased noticeably. Although he still experienced hives and sensitivity to chemicals, the symptoms were milder and no longer life-threatening as before.

Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Thi Lam advises that when persistent allergy symptoms appear, such as hives, itching, runny nose, swollen eyelids, difficulty breathing, etc., people should not be complacent or self-medicate at home. These could be signs of an immune disorder or chronic allergy to various allergens such as pollen, food, medications, chemicals, house dust, or weather changes.

Clinical immunology consultations, allergy testing, and quantitative IgE testing will help accurately diagnose the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan, preventing the disease from progressing to a severe, life-threatening form.

Mr. H.'s case serves as a warning about the long-term and unpredictable consequences of using fillers of unknown origin at beauty clinics that lack professional standards.

Cosmetic procedures should be performed at reputable medical facilities and beauty salons with highly qualified doctors and approved products. People need to thoroughly research the risks before undergoing any cosmetic procedure to avoid long-lasting consequences like in the case above.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/di-ung-nang-sau-9-nam-tiem-silicon-nang-mui-d370359.html