Imiquimod topical and Burning: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ahh...
• July 28, 2016

For Human Papilloma Virus "Don't know what to say. I have used all the types of treatment, but unfortunately nothing is working. I quit smoking, working out, cryo, Aldara, laser. The main problem is, when I do any treatment, I get rid of one GW, and another 30 small ones come up and start growing. Aldara just burned me and left some marks on my genital area. Now, if any of you have better suggestions, please tell me."

• Don...
• January 25, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "I was instructed to apply Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I went to the doctor on Tuesday and applied Wednesday, Friday as prescribed and had mild irritation. I took the third dose on Monday and the one small wart I had significantly shrunk, but three days later I have sores on either side of the lips of the vagina and am in so much pain. It is raw and swollen and has created these ulcer-like lesions that burn terribly while urinating. I only used the medicine three times, always applying to only the wart using the smallest amount and still am having a severe reaction. My doctor prescribed me lidocaine gel, which helps the burn slightly. If you have a wart that is along the lining of your lips or inside the vaginal opening, avoid this medicine. Worst pain ever."

• Jax...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

For Keratosis "Treatment was for 4 weeks M-F at bedtime. Noticeable redness and irritation started after the third day. Intense itching, burning, and stinging increased each week. By week three, I experienced some light bleeding, and wounds were weeping. Benadryl gave temporary relief, but for the most part, the discomfort was a continuous thing."

• Ang...
• December 31, 2015

For Human Papilloma Virus "First off, it does work. But I had the worst side effects, and it burnt all the way through my skin. I haven't been able to walk properly for five days, and my labia is completely burnt. I also got a Bartholin's cyst because of this, and that is also so painful. I'll never use this again."

• Ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2025

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I have genital warts at the penile corona area. I use Aldara 3 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri). There is no significant improvement during the first week, except some redness and a burning feeling on the surrounding skin area. During this period, I'm taking honeysuckle chrysanthemum tea (powdered form) for detoxification and to build up my immunity. On the 12th day, I took the nail clipper and cut off the tip of the genital wart because I was getting impatient. It wasn't the first time I had cut it with a nail clipper, but this time there's blood dripping out. I applied Aldara on the wart as well as on the next day. To my astonishment, 2-3 days later, the wart had shrunk significantly. Some parts seemed to come off when I rubbed and cleaned it during the shower with soap. And by the 20th day, the wart is gone and not visible anymore! Throughout the entire 20 days, I've only used one sachet of Aldara (out of 5 I've bought) for the small wart. I will stop soon or until the first sachet is finished."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2023

For Human Papilloma Virus "I was diagnosed with GW after a single unusual 'growth' just inside my vaginal opening that was causing a lot of itching. First saw a doctor for it a year ago, had it biopsied 6 months ago, and still have several months before I can see a GYN. With a couple more warts in the same location and the itching getting unbearable, I finally got Imiquimod Rx through a telehealth site. I have been using it for a week (3rd application was tonight). The day after the first application, I had a strong reaction: swelling, soreness, sensitivity. After the second, I had some burning and more swelling. Got some benzocaine to relieve it. I've applied liberally, which I realize I shouldn't now. But the first stubborn wart that started it all is GONE. Totally gone! I am shocked. So worth the irritation! I do seem to have some more popping up but will keep using it, just a little more carefully. Freaking amazing!"

• J17...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2024

Imiquimod topical "Used as prescribed. After night 1, I had felt quite a bit of burning, but after seeing it listed as one of the symptoms, I just thought the cream was doing its job. The burning continued to get worse even after I had washed it off. When it reached night 2, I began to get many other symptoms (burning, itching, cold sweats, dizziness, nausea, pounding headache, and I ran a fever of 104). I decided to go to the hospital as the fever wouldn't break, and they gave me medication to help. The doctor told me to stop using the cream immediately. Day 3, the fever was gone, but I ended up having to return to the hospital. My area was now swollen to three times its original size, I had bloody discharge, and the burn had now turned dark purple. The doctor was shocked to see my downstairs area pretty much completely destroyed. He told me this was a severe reaction to this cream and that this was essentially a bad chemical burn in the worst area possible. It's been 5 weeks, and I'm still recovering."

• Rom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2025

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I'm in week 5 out of 6 for superficial basal carcinoma, and I'm in a lot of pain and discomfort. Itching, burning, pain, redness, oozing, and bleeding. I can't exercise or raise my arms since it pulls the skin in my chest where I have the BC. I can't sleep. On the weekends, when I don't use the cream, I have flu-like symptoms, and I'm very tired. The affected area seems to grow every day, it's horrible, and I'm miserable. I called my doctor, who tells me to continue using the cream and that it's 'working.' To get through the day, I put an ice pack on the area to numb the pain. Can't wait to get this over with, and hopefully my skin will heal, it looks disgusting, like a burn with ulcers. This has been a nightmare."

• Hen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2018

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "Was on this for months. Two warts on the penis tip cleared very well, but came back as soon as treatment was paused. Other warts on the shaft, foreskin, under the foreskin shrunk in size during treatment but never cleared. The cream caused a lot of burning sensations on the skin and was very uncomfortable. The foreskin became weak and lost some elasticity during treatment, and as a result, broke several times during washing. By contrast, Podophyllotoxin cleared almost all warts in about three weeks (many of them later reappeared though), and while causing some degree of discomfort, it wasn't comparable to Aldara."

• bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2019

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "Used Aldara for genital warts, three times a week, and all was well at first. Wart size was beginning to decrease, and after a couple of months, I started burning down there. Looked only to see how swollen and red it was. Not using it again."

• Hav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2023

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "16 years ago I used Aldara for a single wart. I used the cream, and yes, it burned like hell. The cream worked, and I didn’t have anything for 15 years. I thought my immune system had kicked this virus to the curb. Last year, my sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I’m guessing the stress from that weakened my immune system, and bang, I got another wart. I treated this the same way, and it’s been gone now nearly 6 months, but my bottom is itchy a lot I think from where the cream burned my skin. If it ever comes back, I will use a Q-tip and make sure I use minimal and will try to protect my skin nearby."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2015

Imiquimod topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "This is awful, the burning is terrible!"