What it looks like after using the Aldara cream and how you feel.

Hi

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x

Ah ok thought as I had registered I would have joined. Will do it now sorry. 

No need to apologise , I just wanted to make sure you'd get the most out of the group by joining.

x

Hi pontymel, my spot is also on my boob and has also got infected. Was on antibiotics for a week which helped as mine was rubbing on my other boob when I slept. Was very painful but now it's dried uand had the shock of my life when I was getting changed as the scan got caught on my clothing and ripped off, OUCH! The good news is, it now looks ok but the bad news is, I've for to start the treatnt all over again so not looking forward to feeling like crap again. I only have 3 weeks left (fingers crossed) so hopefully it won't go the same way as the first 3. Sleeping for me is the worse butave found that as annoying as it is, being propped up with lots of pillows so my boobs don't rub together helps. I'll let you know how I get on again and please keep me posted with how you get on. Iind this site helpful to ask questions but difficult to find my replies lol I will reply keep an eye out for you on my emails. Good luck  x

Hi SalLeRush thanks for getting in touch. Yes the boob is a horrible place to have one - amazing that we both had infections. I am convinced it’s because they move all the time, either on the other boob or your clothes. Very awkward wearing a bra as well (and I am well endowed!) so I am wearing an old sports bra which is ok. Finished my antibiotics yesterday thank goodness as they made me feel even more blah. 3 more weeks for me as well. Let’s hope we both have a better last 3 than first 3. My problem is, I don’t know what is normal, what it should look like at this stage. It is still extremely sore and angry looking. They should give you photos of what it should be like I thInk. Anyway, take care and keep me posted how things are going. 

1. Hi Pontymel, I agree with you, my dermatologist gave me pictures that showed ‘minor’ moderate’ and ‘severe’ reactions. My reaction looks between moderate and severe going by the pictures. This does help as it lets you see what’s normal. He also told me just to use a pin head size amount of cream? I only say that as it might have some bearing on the reaction. On the plus side apparently the greater the reaction the better the chance of it working. It’s really horrible all round to be honest but hopefully the results will make it worth it. Good luck with it all I’ve finished the Aldara now and using the ‘healing cream’ (Fucidin H) it’s starting to scab over and crack quite a lot, but I don’t think it will take too long to heal, I’ll keep you posted x

I could not agree more, it's what I was hoping to find, pictures that is. Not to go into too much details but mine (before it got ripped off) had dried up nicely but got darker as it got to the middle where it was black. Not gonna lie, I did have a little cry last night as I have to start up the cream again and knowing how crap it made me feel. Also, reading some other replies on my post, I was a bit confused as to how much to use now as my dermatologist said to use half of the small packet a time which I've obviously been doing and where it is on my boob (on the left boob but on the right side) means it constantly rubs on my other boob which then gets sore because the cream rubs on it too. These next three weeks can't go quick enough for me.

Totally agree Sally. Next 3 weeks can’t go quick enough. My dermatologist didn’t tell me how much to use at all. No instructions. I have used about half on each lesion, but it appears that might be too much? I don’t feel as if all my treatment was explained to me. I know they are busy in the hospital but a nurse cou,d have talked it through with me. 

I hope I haven’t confused you with amounts to use, I am going with what I was told but it’s worked, 5 days in since I finished Aldara and the big scab in the middle has dropped off with new skin underneath it’s still red and scaly round the edges but I can’t believe how quickly it’s cleared ( obviously I need to hear it’s fine from my dermatologist I’m only going by what my eyes can see) There is some stuff on the net that talks about only using a tiny amount of cream and also taking a couple of days break if the effects are too much, (I’ll try and find it) it might be worth contacting your dermatologist and seeing if that’s something you could/should do? I found the process horrible but I don’t think I’ve had the effects as badly as you both, x

https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/imiquimod/
This is the site my dermatologist printed off the pictures for me. There are 6 pictures, he marked them out for me, the first 3 are examples of bcc before, during and after treatment. The following 3 pictures are examples of  minor, moderate and severe reactions when using Aldara. I hope this helps a bit x