Efudix to treat actinic keratoses

Hi FaithA 

Welcome to the skin cancer group

I've done a search in the group and found these previous posts which mention Efudix for you to have a look through. I'm also 'tagging' Harlyn into my reply as her husband has recently used this to treat pre cancerous lesions.

It would be really helpful for people in future if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment to date into your profile. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself every time you start a new post. 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.

Thank you, Latchbrook! Took your advice and checked out your profile. Think I’m ready to upload mine now… it’s a bit of a saga! Thanks again. 

Thank you so much for the links too. Will take a look

Hi FaithA Yes my husband used this cream which was prescribed by the plastic surgeon I see.  He had a few lesions of keritosis on the side of his face.  He was told to use a cotton bud to put the cream on and try and avoid the healthy skin.  After a week no results but from then on it went red and scabby.  Not so bad as you wouldnt go out but enough to know, yes, it was working. Went back to see the surgeon after 8 weeks to check it had gone and didn't need surgically removing.He was pleased said it had worked brilliantly no further treatment required, so I think you should be ok just keep applying it, but very carefully.  Good Luck.  These skin cancers are nasty little things arent they.  I have had two basal cell ones removed from my face xx

Hi Harlyn,

Thank you so much for being in touch. This is really helpful and it’s reassuring to know things are progressing as expected. I guess I’ll just need to be patient.

One thing I’m still not 100% sure about. The leaflet says to apply a thin layer but did your husband rub the cream in or just smooth it on and let his skin absorb it? 

Yes, nasty little blighters but we will get the better of them .

Thank you so much again xx

Hi Faith A  Just asked hubby. He put it on with a cotton bud and just rubbed it in slightly but not so much that the cream disappeared.  He said you will be fine, we thought nothing was happening and then suddenly it did and then just disappeared like magic.  No problem at all, ask me anything, this site is amazing all in it together to help one another.  Consultant told him just a thin layer of cream and cotton bud makes sure you dont use too much.  He did say keep cream in fridge as expiry date is years, as youy may get more!!! Nothing like cheering you up.xx

Hi FaithA

I had to use effudex for a patch on my nose and my skin didn't react for about two weeks. It then became red and sore..  a week is early days and we're all different so it takes some longer than others to react...

Hi Harlyn, 

Thank you so much again and please thank your hubby too. I think I’ve maybe been rubbing it in too much so will do as he’s suggested and not rub so hard it disappears tonight! 

My doctor also said I’m likely to get more but didn’t say anything about keeping the cream in the fridge to preserve it. I’ve been storing it at room temperature and it says on the leaflet to discard any unused cream after 90 days which seems an awful waste. 

Agree the site is brilliant   Wish now I’d  been aware of it when I was dealing with a previous ‘cancer scare’ but now out the side of that one and hoping I can help other women the way that you and others are helping me now. 

Thanks again xx 

Hi Puckettyboo, 

Thank you so much for your reassuring reply  

Sounds like horses for courses and my horse just happens to be slow out of the starting gate . Cheek is now getting slightly itchy and fthe past two nights I’ve woken up feeling like someone’s just punched me in the face. Hopefully a sign that it’s beginning to work

Thanks again. Really appreciate it. 

Hi FaithA..   if its starting to feel itchy it sounds like you'll soon be seeing a skin reaction...  please resist the urge to scratch it.....   let us know how you get on. We all understand how scary this process can be.