I have recently been given Aldara cream by my dermatologist to use for a couple of superficial bccs on my nose. Can anyone tell me how long after finishing cream does your skin go back to normal? I have two weddings to attend in early June.
I am four weeks into using Aldara for an incomplete excision of a bcc on my nose so I find your question very relevant. I have found the treatment quite tough (two weeks to go) and I have at times wondered if my skin is ever going to go back to normal but this week things have slightly improved. I am seeing a dermatologist shortly and I will be asking about the best way to treat the skin after treatment finishes and I will update you.
I used a six week course of Aldara for a BCC on my nose last year. It took 2-3 weeks after treatment to calm down. It is still sensitive to heat/touch 9 months later but I think it’s because the skin on your nose is so thin.
You should be nicely healed with no noticeable redness by June if you start now.
Thank you for replying to my query. I hope the next two weeks go quickly for you and I look forward to hearing what your dermatologist has to say to you. Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you for replying to my post. I am actually going to start the Aldara on the 3rd April as I have some commitments in the next couple of weeks so hope I will be ok for weddings in June. Did you get the flu like symptoms that they say could be one of the side effects? Thank you again for replying.
I first used Aldara over 20years ago and suffered flu like symptoms then (maybe my immune system was stronger?) but this time round I had more nausea and tiredness.
I did have a general feeling of being run down towards the end and actually came down with covid for the first time the week after I finished the treatment.
My experience (if it helps!) was that nothing really started happening until week 2 when the area started to go red, then the redness spread over my whole nose and started to form scabs. I did have to have a break in week 4 as it looked infected and had swollen so much I couldn’t wear my glasses! All good signs that the treatment is working. It will look horrendous during treatment but I was able to wear a face mask and not feel too self conscious when out running errands.
9 months later it appears to have got rid of the BCC completely which is a relief as I really wanted to avoid skin flap/grafts in this area.
All the best with your treatment (and Valsiann!).
Keep us updated with how you are both getting on xx
I used Aldara many moons ago and suffered similar side effects. After the fourth time of using it, the side effects were severe and I fainted in the street. The gastric problems were so severe that I still suffer IBS several years later. I have been told by the Specialist at the hospital to never use it again. Since then I have used Efudix which reacts on the skin in a very similar way. It is not pleasant to use but I usually get good results.
Thanks for letting me know your experience - I am so worried about the side effects - especially after reading Happydaze2's experience with it! Hoping it will be a positive experience for me - I know it isn't going to be easy. So glad to hear that 9 months later it has seemed to have got rid of your bcc as like you, I really want to avoid skin flap/graft.
Will update you when I start in a couple of weeks.
Sorry to have scared you. What I was trying to say was you should not keep pushing on if unexpected side effects last too ling. Obviously you get the skin reaction but gastric flu like symptoms should not go on too long. I left it far too late. I used it for two yrs without problem and then suffered a systemic reaction.
Thanks for your reply Happydaze2 - I will definitely heed your advice and stop treatment if side effects last too long. It must have been a very frightening time for you when you had that severe reaction. Glad you are better now.
