Efudix

Hi and welcome to the online community

I'd held off welcoming you as I haven't had this treatment so can't tell you if it's normal not to have a skin reaction to Efudix.

I'm going to tag BillBill into my reply to you as I know they've used Efudix and might be able to answer your question. You could also type 'Efudix' into the search bar in this group as that will bring up previous posts which mention it and you could have a look through those.

When you have a minute it would be useful if could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

When do you have to go back to see your consultant to see if the treatment's worked?

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Hi thank you for getting back to me and for your kindness. I will certainly and complete my profile.

I will also search for Efudix in the forum to see if there are similar posts.

I am due back at the doctor in 4 weeks .

Thanks again.

Come back and let us know how you get on when you see the doctor. Hopefully the cream will have done it's job!

All the best x

Hello Pegwood,

I have been prompted to reply to your post by Latchbrook and am very happy to tell you of my own experience.

I used Efudix twice daily for 28 days on my scalp, forehead and one cheek.  My overall experience was a positive one - it worked but it is unpleasant for a week or so.

Your experience so far is typical.  In fact, I think it was about ten days before I saw any reddening at all.  It was as though I was applying some totally benign cream.  However, keep at it and it will start to produce results.  Towards the end of this treatment be prepared for it to be very uncomfortable even painful - the area will become inflamed, itchy, sore and maybe oozy - sometimes crusty.  Bear in mind this is a serious cream - a chemo cream in fact - and it has to penetrate deeply to work....but stick with it.  I found it difficult to sleep towards the end of treatment - but this was only for two or three nights and, if this does happen to you remind yourself its for a short time and that it is a sign the stuff is doing its job.  For these few nights I found some relief in sitting outside in the cold night air - the inflamed area gets very hot.  

Then when its over - relief!  New skin grows which is blemish- free (there are rumours that Hollywood stars used to use it to make themselves appear youthful!).  My actinic keratosis  has not reappeared.  It was well worth a few days discomfort to dramatically reduce the chance of squamous cell carcinomas in this area of my face/head.

One last point - and apologies if you know this already.  Observe strict hygiene - separate flannels, towels etc for use in this area because when the relevant area does become inflamed and yukky it is easily infected.

Good Luck!   

Bill

Hi Bill

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and advice. I really appreciate it and knowing that it can take a while for your skin to react has made me feel better. 

I will update my post  regularly to share what is happening.

Hi BillBill and

I hope you don't mind me hijacking this post but my husband has been applying this cream to an area on his leg for about two and a half weeks now and it doesn't appear to be doing anything. It's certainly not going red or crusting or any of the other things I read should be happening.

When you apply the cream did you rub it in or just apply a thin layer to the skin and leave it without rubbing in? He's rubbing it in and I'm wondering if this is what he's doing wrong.

How did your treatment go Pegwood? I'm hoping that it worked and you're now skin cancer free.

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Hi latchbrook, I'm using Efudux to the scalp no reaction after 7days. Scalp and face you put on lightly and rub gently, however Legs and forearm I believe you put on a thicker layer but you should speak to your doctor. I believe that Efudux works best on face then other areas of the body.

My advice would be to be patient and stick with it.  Obviously if the skin is thicker it may take longer to start to show a reaction but keep going. If there is no reaction after three weeks or so consider going back for medical advice.  Good luck.

Hi  and a very warm welcome to the online community

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post but my husband finished his treatment earlier this year. The Efudix didn't remove the lesion so it was removed surgically and turned out to be a basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

I notice that you haven't joined this group yet. Don't worry, you haven't done anything wrong but joining the group will allow you to start your own posts if you want to ask any questions, etc. To this choose 'click to join' or 'join', depending on the device you're using. 

It would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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