Aldara and Itching: What Users Say

• M56...
• August 26, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "Aldara is super efficient. Here is my advice: - only apply 3 times a week, reduce if you feel too much pain. - when starting the treatment, only apply a really tiny amount of cream on each wart with the end of a cotton bud. Only when you are ready, start applying a tiny bit more, but it should stay minimal. - it will create discomfort. Use baby wipes for the toilet; buy an intimate gel to take care of the area that is infected. I took 2 showers a day during the treatment to keep the area clean at all times. No pyjama bottoms to avoid any contact. - the pain is OKAY. It can burn healthy skin in the night when the warts with cream rub against it. Put some tiny plasters opposite the wart for the night. It gets itchy during the day, but stay busy. - be positive: eat healthily, stop smoking. Have someone to help you go through it. Had 6 genital warts and 5 were completely gone by week 2. Still treating 1, but it's now barely visible. Go for it and good luck, stay positive!"

• Fre...
• April 5, 2011

For Human Papilloma Virus "I was extremely hesitant to use this medicine because of the price and because I had read horror stories about it online. But I was desperate because of unsightly warts, so I took the plunge. I made sure to apply with a magnification mirror and a q-tip. I can't stress enough how important it was to ONLY apply it exactly where the warts were. My side effects included swelling and itching around the affected area and some fatigue/aches. After using it 4 times, my warts were gone. Worth it worth it worth it. Just be careful not to put it on any healthy skin."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2019

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "For 18 months, I had a sore on my nose that would bleed, scab, then disappear. Finally, I had it checked (I should have known better, I have a family history of skin cancer). It came back as a BCC. I'm now 5 weeks into my use of Aldara. For the first 3 weeks, I didn't really have any signs of it doing too much. Well, now at week 5, my nose is hard, scab-like, and a lot bigger area than I had thought. I wouldn't say it's sore, just uncomfortable and itchy at times. I guess once completed and healed, time will tell if it completely worked. My doctor gives it an 80% chance, and if not, it's surgery for me. I hope this isn't all for nothing, but I feel it has been worth the chance and do feel that it has done its job well. So far, so good. I'm in AUS, and the cost was $50."

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2014

For Human Papilloma Virus "Two weeks ago, I thought my life was over with the diagnosis. My doctor let me know I am not alone, and over 70% of people have human papillomavirus, it's just a matter of whose body can fight off the warts developing or not. I have been using Aldara for two weeks and have only minor side effects like slight itching, which I'm not sure if it's just my brain thinking it's bad or if it was. Apply only to the spots that need it. I almost think those who complain of unreal side effects slathered this on without reading directions. The only other side effect, which was odd, was the first night I applied it, my heart rate was 100 beats per minute, which was strange. Lesions have shrunk in size tenfold. I'm just super pleased. I feel bad for those who cannot afford Aldara."

• Lis...
• April 13, 2018

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I had a small dot on my chest and a penny-sized one on my side. The dermatology consultant told me to use Aldara on the two areas but only once daily for five days, then a two-day break. Leave on for 8 hours, then wash off. She then said she would see me in 4 months. I was a bit surprised she didn't want to see me during treatment but thought the Aldara must be good at doing its job. How wrong could I be? Within one week of using it, the rest of my chest erupted into large red sores with lots of little red spots all over it. I didn't know if this was normal, as nothing much was discussed at the appointment. I continued to use the cream, but every day was more and more horrific. The sores were blistering, bleeding, and oozing fluid, not to mention red raw and itchy. By the end of the second week, I could not tolerate any more, so I stopped using it and tried to contact the dermatology department, which wasn't interested unless I had another referral from my doctor."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2022

For Human Papilloma Virus "I used Aldara for 4 weeks seven months ago, and I'm very happy to report that the warts have NOT returned! The package only had enough for 4 weeks, and I was worried it wouldn't be enough, but they disappeared completely. The skin was red and very itchy during that time, but nothing unbearable at all. It's important that you only spread the cream directly on the warts. I was absolutely shocked when I discovered I had HPV, I thought my life was over. Or at least my sex life. When I went to see a proper gynecologist, however, they made it very clear that HPV is NOT permanent, and they don't usually even test under 25-year-olds because the result is usually positive, and about 90% of women get it at some point. Your body will attack the virus naturally and defeat it. If you're reading this, just hang in there, I know it feels absolutely horrible, but it turns out I was way more stressed about it than needed. And remember, it WILL get better, it's not forever!! You will get through it for sure."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2015

For Human Papilloma Virus "I was prescribed Aldara for internal GW. When I finally found a doctor to acknowledge that they existed internally, they were bad. They almost looked like fingers. I say this to make the point that I had a serious case of them. I was put on Aldara for three times a week until 16 weeks. This was the most painful experience I have ever had in my life. I cried in pain for the first several weeks. The itching was almost unbearable in and of itself. I also got very severe ulcers around the treatment site. I found it helpful to take an allergy pill for the itching and melatonin to help me sleep with the pain. All that being said, after 16 weeks, my GW problem was 90 percent gone. I was given another month's worth for the last remaining few."

• Gan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "Day four of using Aldara on my genital area. I have over 20 genital warts (GW) scattered all over my vagina and a few in the entrance of my vagina (size of a pinky fingernail). I've used Aldara every day, and this is my fourth day. I started getting side effects on the third day (burning, itching, white vaginal discharge, and painful urination). I have a pretty good pain threshold, hence why I’m using it every day. I noticed today that one GW is getting smaller, which was the biggest one on my left labia entrance. I hope this works and will keep you updated."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "I've been using Aldara for just over 3 weeks now. I had genital and anal warts all over. They were in clusters and stuck together. But just after week 1, I could tell a difference. Now I only have a few left, but you can barely see them. I'm going for a check-up tomorrow, but I think I might need some more just to get rid of the extra marks. However, I would definitely recommend this to anyone with genital warts! It's not a quick fix, but you have to be patient with it. It WILL work, and if you are experiencing pain, blisters, or swelling, it means the cream is working as it's the cells dying to get rid of the wart. So the more pain you're in, the better, as bad as it sounds. I went through pain, blisters, and itching in the first and second week. Not so much now, as they are nearly gone."

• Kat...
• June 22, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Itchy, sore to touch, don't sleep well the nights it's applied. This is my second treat for BCC, the first with Aldara got infected and subsequently scarred. All BCC were on the chest area. The first is completely gone. The second, I'm 3 weeks through a 4-week treatment. Can't wait to be finished, although end results are acceptable for the pain and irritation that you go through."

• Gen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "I had genital warts. I decided to try Aldara and hope for the best. After reading loads of reviews about crazy side effects, I was a bit worried, but my experience has been great. It says to use each sachet only once, but I get at least 3/4 uses out of each. I’ve had no burning and minimal scabbing of the skin, only a slight bit of redness around the affected area. After 2 weeks, the warts began to shrink rapidly and disappeared in the 3rd week! Just ensure you follow the instructions and complete the course (~16 weeks), as I’ve noticed a lot of people have stopped using it once the warts disappear, and then they come back straight away. It cost me £70 for the whole course."

• XXX...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "In the first week of using this cream, I felt no difference, although now I’m in my second week (I apply Mon, Wed, Fri for 16 weeks), and I’ve got a sore throat and sneezing, also, down there burns and itches like anything! I’ve noticed swelling around the surrounding area of the wart (I only have one), but I have noticed it’s decreasing in size slowly but surely! To reduce the itchiness, take two showers per day (no scented shower gels) to keep them clean. Also, if you can, don’t wear underwear as the friction can make it more painful. For the pain while urinating, take a cup or jug and rinse off with cool water! Although the pain is unbearable sometimes, try and stick it out. :)"

• XXX...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "In the first week of using this cream, I felt no difference, although now I’m in my second week (I apply Mon, Wed, Fri for 16 weeks), and I’ve got a sore throat and sneezing, also, down there burns and itches like anything! I’ve noticed swelling around the surrounding area of the wart (I only have one), but I have noticed it’s decreasing in size slowly but surely! To reduce the itchiness, take two showers per day (no scented shower gels) to keep them clean. Also, if you can, don’t wear underwear as the friction can make it more painful. For the pain while urinating, take a cup or jug and rinse off with cool water! Although the pain is unbearable sometimes, try and stick it out. :)"

• Gir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "Aldara works wonders. I used it as prescribed, and within 2 weeks, most of the really large lesions were gone! The only downside to Aldara is the side effects. The itching, swelling, and redness around the affected area were almost unbearable! I’m on my 5th week of treatment, and honestly, I can’t wait for this to be over."

• Oli...
• November 16, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "This cream, Aldara, works! Two weeks in, using it three times a week with rest days in between, and they have all gone! I experienced a lot of itching and a slight bit of soreness and stinging when going to the toilet, but honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. I used Vagisil in the daytime once I washed the cream off, and that was my saving grace. I didn’t feel anything or notice a change until using the cream a fourth or fifth time, so just be patient. Just because you’re not in excruciating pain, like people say, doesn’t mean it’s not working! I guess I was very lucky in that sense."

• jac...
• October 22, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "Prescribed Aldara after 2 failed rounds of cryotherapy for genital warts (GW) after being diagnosed with HPV about two months ago. Struggled mentally with GW as there were a few clusters and two very large ones, especially after the failed cryotherapy, and wasn’t sure about Aldara after reading reviews, but I’ve been using it 3 times a week in the evenings for one week so far - one large GW has gone and the majority of clusters. Prescribed to use it for 4 weeks, but after being one week in, not only have the GW improved, but so has my mental health. Fair amount of itching and occasionally pain when urinating, as well as soreness after the first couple of applications, but nothing compared to what some people seem to have experienced. Could not recommend more, and I wish I’d gone straight for this over the cryotherapy! (Only giving 7/10 as I’m one week into treatment, don’t want to jinx it, and there has been some discomfort)"

• Caz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "I noticed small lumps on the inside of my labia. I went to my gyno, who confirmed they were genital warts. My gyno prescribed Aldara cream 2 times a week for 6 weeks. The cream caused intense itching in the area, soreness, and ulcers in and around the area. I also had headaches, was very fatigued, and had flu-like symptoms. After the 6 weeks, the warts have gotten somewhat smaller but had not disappeared. As it had somewhat worked, I asked my gyno if I could get another dose of the cream. I went through another 6 weeks of the medication and finished up about 2 weeks ago. Aldara did significantly reduce and clear most of the warts, but there are still some of them there, and 2 weeks after finishing treatment, I felt itchy down there again and noticed warts growing back again. I am sad as I went through so much pain physically and emotionally. I can imagine the treatment does work for some patients, so it is worth a try, sadly, it just didn't fully work for me."

• Caz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "I noticed small lumps on the inside of my labia. I went to my gyno, who confirmed they were genital warts. My gyno prescribed Aldara cream 2 times a week for 6 weeks. The cream caused intense itching in the area, soreness, and ulcers in and around the area. I also had headaches, was very fatigued, and had flu-like symptoms. After the 6 weeks, the warts have gotten somewhat smaller but had not disappeared. As it had somewhat worked, I asked my gyno if I could get another dose of the cream. I went through another 6 weeks of the medication and finished up about 2 weeks ago. Aldara did significantly reduce and clear most of the warts, but there are still some of them there, and 2 weeks after finishing treatment, I felt itchy down there again and noticed warts growing back again. I am sad as I went through so much pain physically and emotionally. I can imagine the treatment does work for some patients, so it is worth a try, sadly, it just didn't fully work for me."

• Gir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2017

For Human Papilloma Virus "The doctor said I had genital warts and put me on Aldara and said I should use it for 4 weeks, three times per week. I only used this cream once, and within two days the warts started disappearing, and within four days it had cleared totally. I used just a pea-sized amount and applied it with a cotton swab directly on the warts. It did get a little uncomfortable and itchy after about three hours."

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "The best tip is to use a feminine itch cream and Vaseline with the cream. Use the itch cream after and cover any close skin with Vaseline. This is my third time using this cream. The first two times were absolutely easy for me. The small, tiny warts near my vagina went away within a week tops. Sadly, this past time was absolutely awful. The location and size definitely determine how the ride will be. I had two baby pimple-sized ones on each side of my vagina in the crease of my thigh. It has been a long two months, and I've gone through bleeding, itchiness, skin color change, and everything else. They’re finally gone, and I’m just thankful I have a loving boyfriend who was supportive and patient with me. Sadly, my vagina looks so different, but I’ll take it if it means no warts for a while."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "I am on to my second week now of Aldara. My first 2 days, I applied way too much and was in severe agony, waking up in tears with pain - burning, itching, hurt to walk and sit down, also when urinating. I took a 3-day break and have been applying a lot less now, and it comes with a lot less pain, so anyone starting treatment, you do not need much product!!! I learned that the hard way. Gets very itchy and uncomfortable, but nothing unbearable like the first 2 days. I have been having other bad side effects - horrible dreams, chills, headaches, trouble sleeping, and general aches and pains, but so far, so good as the Aldara seems to be working, so I am looking forward to my next couple of weeks of treatment."

• NEC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "I had 2 quite large warts near the entrance of my vagina. I’ve been using the cream for 2 weeks. One of the warts has nearly completely disappeared, and the other one has shrunk to a tiny pimple size. The cream did start to cause soreness, tingling, and itching after about the 3rd use, still feels slightly tender now, but 100% worth the discomfort as it has worked."

• Gan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "It’s day ten, and I have used Aldara continuously in the first four days and stopped on the fifth day because the pain was unbearable and I wanted to take a break. The burning urination was still there, along with the itchiness, white discharge, and burning sensation overall. Pain started to ease on day eight, and I had sex and didn’t feel any discomfort (just embarrassment, lol). Today, I took a look at my vagina, and I was happy to see that most of my GWs were either completely gone or had gotten smaller. I applied Aldara again since I have no pain or discomfort and will continue to take it. Again, hope this works and will keep you updated."

• jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "4 weeks in and only one wart has shrunk. Most have stayed the same, and I have actually had lots more warts appear despite taking really good care of myself. The side effects are horrific - I have red, raw patches that feel like blisters and burns on my inner labia, which is odd because I've not applied the cream there and have no warts there! It is difficult to sleep at night because of the pain and itching. I've used Warticon in the past and had a much better experience - Aldara feels like I'm just putting acid on my genitals without any reward or success!"

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2020

For Condylomata Acuminata "Been struggling with 2 anal warts since the beginning of 2020, one big and the other small. Been using podophyllin to burn the warts, but they kept coming back. Recently, I started using Aldara, and within 2 weeks of using it (8 applications), both warts disappeared. I couldn't believe it. I didn't have major side effects, just minor itching some days, but nothing bad. The cream does work. I just hope the results will last longer and not have warts back any time soon."