A deadly poison: Find out why botulinum toxin is so dangerous

You may have heard that you should never buy food that comes in crushed cans. Some unsuspecting people may have already purchased these delicacies and risk having them stored in a box themselves. All thanks to a dangerous invader Clostridium botulinum.

This bacteria is responsible for triggering severe muscle paralysis that can lead to death within a few hours if medical care is not provided. Even small doses of botulinum toxin can be fatal.

But it’s not that bad. This paralyzing effect of Botox can also be used for treatment and aesthetic purposes. Learn more about how this toxin may have versatile uses and how to prevent contamination.

Botulism: How does botulinum toxin affect the human body?

Botulism is a disease caused by contact with botulinum toxin produced by bacteria botulinum. This bacillus can grow in foods that have not been properly preserved, as well as in products that have been improperly handled during preservation and packaging.

Therefore, it is advisable not to purchase products with damaged packaging, as it indicates that the food has not been stored well and, as a result, may cause some harm to health due to the presence of botulism-causing bacteria. other pathogenic biological agents.

After contact with botulinum toxin, the substance quickly begins to act on the nerve endings of the body muscles and blocks the effect of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in the communication between neurons and these branches.

By blocking the signal, muscles lose their ability to contract and relax, causing global paralysis. The first symptoms may appear two hours after contact with the toxin. If the contamination is milder, the first symptoms may appear after 10 days.

Fatal effects are associated with acute onset of symptoms and respiratory arrest. Therefore, it is important to watch for symptoms that include: dry mouth, double vision, muscle paralysis that starts in the face and moves down to the rest of the body, abdominal bloating, and others. At the first symptoms, seek immediate medical attention to administer the antidote.

In addition to transmission through food intake, which is the most common route of poisoning, Botulism can also develop from contamination of wounds due to contact with contaminated water or soil..

But there is still a very specific type of contamination: honey. In this case, the affected group consists of children aged 3 to 26 weeks. However, the World Health Organization recommends that babies and children up to the age of two should not consume honey and other foods containing the product.

But while botulism is terrifying on the one hand, researchers have managed to repurpose those effects for something you maybe already wanted or know someone who definitely wants by the end of this year.

The connection between botulinum toxin and Botox

Maybe this connection is already clear to you, but if you haven’t paid attention to the facts yet, Botox, a youth preservation favorite, is what can cause irreversible damage in uncontrolled environments..

It helps prevent muscle paralysis, expression lines caused by botulinum toxin, overly tense muscles can be relaxed, and it can also act on pain receptors due to its inhibitory effect on nerve endings.

Botulinum toxin is the same, but the toxin administered in clinics is processed, purifying the dose from the presence of bacteria that produce it, making the product safe, preventing colonization and extra production of the substance.

The dosage is calculated individually for each patient, making the application safe and acting only on the desired muscles, avoiding overdose and possible poisoning. Moreover, this processed toxin has an “expiration date”. The paralyzing effect lasts for three to six months. At the end of this period, a new application must be made.

In addition to the desired aesthetic effects, Botox is also used as a therapeutic resource by applying it to spastic muscles.It contributes to the relaxation of these structures, the reduction of pain and the advancement of motor therapies.

It is important to pay attention! Do not undergo aesthetic or therapeutic procedures with professionals who are not certified to use the substance. Although the processed toxin has a safety margin, it still has the potential to cause toxicity.. Always think about your safety!

Therefore, wise choices start with choosing the products to buy from the market and then choosing the professionals to help you. Be sure to seek medical help immediately if symptoms occur.

Do you like the micro world and its potential? You may also want to read about how bacteria can contribute to the formation of synthetic life. Is it safer or unsafe to ask Santa for Botox? Tell us about our social networks and see you later!