‘Doctors thought I had a stroke after botox-like injection’

Health & FitnessLifestyle
26 Jul 2025 • 6:15 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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Nicola Fairley is one of 38 cases of botulism so far linked to unlicensed anti-wrinkle injections in recent outbreak of disease many doctors have never treated.

Fairley was left unable to swallow and doctors thought she had suffered a stroke after contracting the life-threatening illness from a potentially illegal product.

The botox-like product was administered by Fairley’s usual beautician after she won a Facebook competition.

Botulism symptoms include slurred speech, breathing problems and can be deadly, it's so rare many doctors never see it in their entire careers.