Efudix - am I normal?

Hi 

You are right that AK (actinic keratoses) is not skin cancer although if not treated a small minority could become squamous cell carcinoma.

When I had an actinic keratoses it was removed by cryotherapy so I don't have any experience to share with using Efudix. However, I noticed that no one had come forward yet.

I've had a look for previous posts which mention this treatment and found these which you could have a read through. As you will see some people get an intense reaction and others don't.

Clicking on the links I've created will tell you more about actinic keratoses, including how to stay safe in the sun, and Efudix.

Wishing you all the best

Many thanks latchbrook - I have read the links with interest.

I would love to think that AKs cannot turn into skin cancer as you say, but this is not what I understand to be the case, either from the specialists I have seen, or leading centres of excellence.

John Hopkins for example, states: 'Some actinic keratoses can turn into squamous cell skin cancer. Because of this, the lesions are often called precancer. They are not life-threatening. But if they are found and treated early, they do not have the chance to develop into skin cancer.'

So, on with the wretched cream I guess! 

Thank you for taking the time to reply

Hi 

I will hold my hands up and say I was wrong to say that actinic keratoses cannot become skin cancer after having had a look at some of the more respected information on the internet. So as not to mislead people I have altered my response to you to reflect this.

I hope the Efudix does the trick

Hi there. Firstly a lot depends on where the AK are located. The most sinister places to have them I’m told is in lip lbecause they spread most easily where there’s mucosal tissue and less bone and on lip this is regarded as Sqc - potentially invasive. But Efudix completely cleared my husband’s multiple AKs on his nose last year. Sadly I’m on my third lot of lip biopsies now after 3 years or more or pulsed Efudix every 2-3 months. 

Hi how did it go in the end? I have been prescribed this cream for a couple of areas on my face, one near my eye and one just above my lip so I am interested to hear of your experiences. The pharmacist made me scared of the cream as they said to put the minimal amount on and to use a cotton bud as it could burn. The dermatologist didn't tell me anything and the GP prescribed it on his recommendation also without instructions so I am a bit anxious about using it. I am awaiting a punch biopsy. Did you have this carried out? Thanks

Efudix can really tear you up. I used it on my face and it turned me into a zombie. I did have to cut back to lower dose over longer time. When I used it on my neck, it hurt worse than my face. I guess because clothing contact rubs the fresh skin.  Of course, check with your doctor, but maybe longer times between applications. 2 times a day seems excessive. Also, my doctor recommended using it during the day and washing it off at night. Hope it helps.

Hi,

live tried to use fluoroucil over the last 2 years. However I get a systemic response with fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, extrem insomnia and bad headaches. They should really test you for DPD enzyme before you use it but they don’t bother. I was hospitalised last week from using the cream. I am now seeking alternative treatment for my AKs because I can’t withstand these side effects. The localised response as in blisters and weeping aren’t a problem for me at all as I can withstand that.