How botulinum toxin is used in medicine

Botulinum toxin is well known for its use in the cosmetic industry, but it is important to remember how it can also transform lives for medical reasons. In fact, botulinum toxin is used in medicine for a wide range of treatments.

It has several uses including for the treatment of migraine, oesophageal issues and even overactive bladder – to name just a few examples.

Cold hands and poor circulation

I have a patient who always amazes me with her positive mood and ability to cope where I certainly would struggle. She has chronic scleroderma and because of this, has extreme Raynaud’s Syndrome which affects her circulation. Her hands are permanently cold and she suffers abscesses at her fingertips in winter.

She told me that once the hospital had used botulinum toxin to help the circulation, injected at the base of each finger. I repeated this treatment for her. She left with her blue and white fingers covered in abscesses and two days later, I received a call and some photos. The abscesses had gone, the blood supply had improved and the pain was diminished.

I am fortunate to have trained as a doctor but I am humbled to be able to help people with extreme medical conditions, especially when they never complain.

Please donate, if you can, to Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK by following the link here.