Efudex and Blisters: What Users Say

• Sar...
• October 7, 2017

For Keratosis "I was diagnosed with actinic keratosis in August and then decided to apply the Efudex cream to face in the middle of September. I thought that I only had a couple of spots which I was concerned about, but after applying the cream to my forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, around the eyes, and my ears, it became quite apparent that there were a vast amount of areas that had been affected. In the first week, I saw that these areas became inflamed, although not painful. In the second week, these areas started to merge together and then looked like blisters and sores on my face, especially below my eyes. In the third week, these started to scab a little and became a bit painful, I think due to the skin feeling very dry. I am now in my fourth and final week."

• Rud...
• December 20, 2019

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I was prescribed this cream to treat BCC on my nose. I had a red spot with suspected basal cell carcinoma. My dermatologist wanted me to treat my entire nose to get any spots that hadn't emerged yet. I put it on twice daily for two weeks. It took about a week for anything to happen, but then the spot turned red. Soon my entire nose turned pink. At day 14, my nose was red, with purple areas, blisters, and depressions. I had to put Vaseline on it to tolerate the pain. It felt like someone had burned my face with a hot iron. The skin was pulled taut, and I was afraid of scarring. It has been 8 weeks since the application stopped. It is still a little pink. Unfortunately, it did not get my spot, it is not superficial enough. The cream's redness lasts longer for me than I anticipated. It was an 8-week process for me, and I still have a pink nose. Hope it isn't permanent."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2011

For Skin Cancer "Efudex successfully combated skin abnormalities that my doctor had cancer concerns about. I used Efudex for ten days and then stopped because of blistering; they were small, but covered my face. It's been almost two months after my treatment and I still have an unsightly, coarse rash. The steroid cream I used five days afterwards eased the appearance of the rash, but because of concerns over skin thinning, I could not continue with the cream."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2022

For Actinic Keratosis "As expected, this treatment is horrendous. Week 1 was not too bad. Week 2 was extremely difficult, lack of sleep, etc. Week 3, truly awful! Extreme pain, care must be taken when showering. I used lukewarm water on my face, I found this helped, but then the skin went tight. After applying Efudix, I waited an hour or so before applying a moisturizer (Nivea for Men Sensitive, alcohol-free). Sleep is extremely difficult due to the terrible itch - scratch - itch! Week 4. I had to stop using Efudix! Swollen face, half-closed eyes, however, it has definitely worked, with blistering, weeping, and peeling beginning. Because of the swelling around my eyes, I rang my doctor, and we agreed to cease any further application, as Efudix has done the job! I am now experiencing bouts of severe itching - tried all sorts of lotions and potions, but alas, no relief. Nivea seems to give a little relief. I've read you often feel worse when you stop using Efudix, and it's true!"

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2021

For Actinic Keratosis "I was prescribed Efudex cream for lip actinic keratosis to be applied once a day, and nothing could have prepared me for the forthcoming experience I was about to endure! The cream itself is easy to use, and as expected, on day 7 my lip reacted... a huge blister from one end to the other, and on day 9 it started to split, weep, and crust over in rotation, and I'm still going through that now. On day 35, I stopped the cream on day 28! Eating has been a nightmare... can’t bite into anything and living on soft foods... bonus being I’ve lost 10 lb in weight."

• Fem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2023

For Keratosis "I used Efudex for 6 weeks in total. I did stop the treatment at intervals when the blistering became too bad. I used it at night and put makeup on during the day to cover all the redness. It is the worst experience I have had with my skin. But looking at my face now, it was worth it. It is 2 months since I stopped, and I still have slight redness in certain areas. However, the improvement in my skin has been wonderful. I will always use 50 factor sun cream when I go out. Heliocare is very good. I hope and pray that I never will have to use Efudex again."

• Mil...
• June 17, 2024

For Keratosis "This is my 3rd time using Efudex cream. I have been told by my dermatologist to use Efudex cream 2 times a day for 2 weeks on lower lip, forehead (1 spot), between upper lip and nose (1 spot), and both hands. I have very fair pale skin. My skin reacted really quickly to the cream. In 5 days, my skin was red with blisters and itchy, very uncomfortable. Now I am on day 10 and my hands are swollen, itchy, with scabs, very dry, and uncomfortable. I am applying fresh aloe vera gel from my yard 2 to 3 times a day. I am not sure I can make it to 14 days. I will write to let you know the results."

• Dol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2023

For Keratosis "I used Efudex for 6 weeks in total. I did stop the treatment at intervals when the blistering became too bad. I used it at night and put makeup on during the day to cover all the redness. It is the worst experience I have had with my skin. But looking at my face now, it was worth it. It is 2 months since I stopped, and I still have slight redness in certain areas. However, the improvement in my skin has been wonderful. I will always use 50 factor sun cream when I go out. Heliocare is very good. I hope and pray that I never will have to use Efudex again."