Efudix 5%

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Hi there. The problem I had was tiny blisters on my forehead that I've had for a couple of years or so that seemed to get  a little worse in the sun and weren't clearing up. Recently they've been getting a little more uncomfortable. I always thought it was psoriasis (which I have on my scalp). I went to my doctor, she took a photo of my forehead and a week later I got a text saying they'd prescribed Efudix 5%. So strangely, I don't know what I've been prescribed it for. I'm assuming it's cancerous or pre-cancerous sun damage? (I have abused the sun during my life). In the short text she mentioned that the area would become inflamed and that this is what it's supposed to do. Having just finished the course a few days ago, once a day for four weeks (I did 25 days), I now have a extremely red, sore forehead. It got gradually worse over the 25 days. As I understand it (from reading up on the internet) this shows the cream is working and it's very much worth going through this. Are there any signs to look out for to show that the cream has worked? There are little brown crusty bits amongst the huge dark red patches on my forehead. Are they the old blisters? Will they drop off and is this a good sign?

  • Hi I have had to use Efudex quite a few times now for AKs - on the side of my nose, cheek and for Bowens disease on my lower leg. It’s perfectly normal for it to be red, yellow or brownish in places and very scabby! The whole area that has reacted to the cream and formed a scab will eventually drop off and there will be new skin underneath. It sounds like it has worked so try not to worry. I found that once you have stopped using the cream it helps to use Aquaphor skin balm made by Eucerin as it helps it to heal quicker. There probably are other creams you can use but Aquaphor worked for me. It is quite worrying the first time you use Efudex as you do not know what to expect. The GPs prescribe it and send you on your way with little information as to what to expect - thank heavens for the Internet !! Anyway good luck and if you have any questions just ask x

  • Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. It's a relief to know that you think it sounds like it's worked. I'll go and buy some of the skin balm you recommended tomorrow. (My head is so sore!) There aren't much scabby areas, just a few miniscule brown crusty bits where I think the blisters were/are. The vast majority of it is just large dark-red raw blotches on my forehead surrounded by red smaller blotches. It's very dry but I don't know if it's going to scab, I was hoping it would because that's a sign it has worked.. I think? Guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens, go back to the GP and see what they think.

  • It does scab more where the actual problem is and the surrounding areas go red or may scab too - maybe contact your GP and send a photo?