Imiquimod topical and Itching: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Zed...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "I have anal warts, and my doc advised to use it every two days before bedtime, only half sachet. I was too worried about using it because of what I read about side effects, but one week now and so far I didn’t recognize any side effects, maybe a bit itchy but it’s bearable. I had one big wart and two small, the big one is decreasing in size, but I noticed two new warts showed up. Maybe it will take more time to disappear since I’ve been using it for only one week now. However, the description said that I should not use it inside anal, even though the doc said no problem since I have internal warts. I hope all will clear up later. I’ll keep you posted."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2022

For Human Papilloma Virus "I was prescribed imiquimod for genital warts. I only had one wart, and it was small but still worried me. I used it three times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) and did not read the directions or reviews carefully. I used a whole glob the first two times and started getting itchy and sore down there. It was red and looked worse, then I figured out you’re only supposed to use a tiny bit and wash it off in the morning. So I used a Q-tip to put a small dot on just the wart, careful not to touch other skin, and showered in the morning. I didn’t expect it to work so fast, but by the second week, it was gone! Super happy, even though it was a bit uncomfortable. I’ve stopped using it and am waiting for my skin to stop itching and heal up now."

• Anonymous
• May 31, 2022

Imiquimod topical for Condylomata Acuminata "So far, a bit of side effects on me. Now I used Aldara cream for 2 weeks, and my anal warts are going. Hopefully, they all cleared after 4 weeks. The side effects on me when I first started using Aldara are very itchy and a bit dizzy. I take all this for the sake of my anus. I had so many warts in my anus when I started Aldara, and it really works. Thank you, Aldara cream."

• cgu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2019

For Molluscum Contagiosum "I took the medicine imiquimod 3 times per week for 30 days for molluscum contagiosum bumps just above the crack on my buttocks. I had to quit for one week because my rectal area was sore, red, burning, and itching. A couple of small open sores developed. I used hydrocortisone cream, and this helped a lot. Most of the bumps are gone except for one that is stubborn. I restarted applying the cream after a one-week hiatus. My rectal area became very sore again. The one stubborn bump became larger and then greatly reduced in size. I quit the imiquimod for a few days until the sores are better."

• Dav...
• December 4, 2020

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "Outbreak of multiple GW around my anus. Struggling to cope with this. Have now been using Aldara for 3 weeks - 8 applications. Don't feel any particular side effects other than area a bit tender and sometimes a bit of an itch. Unfortunately, I don't feel there has been any difference, and I'm concerned it might be getting worse. I will persevere, and I'm seeing the Dr. again next week. As yet, not the miracle treatment I was hoping for."

• JEM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2016

For Human Papilloma Virus "I've been using Aldara cream for 2 weeks now, and at first, thought I was lucky as I had no side effects. However, the past 4 days have been awful. The cream has left me bedridden with back pain, chest pain, and nausea, even my eyes ache. I have no appetite, and I'm constantly dizzy. I had to bathe in salt water after scratching myself raw in my sleep, I couldn't even wipe after a wee. However, the warts do seem to be going away. Try and take lysine capsules as well. I am lucky to be in the UK where the cream is free for me. I'm just hoping I have the willpower to finish the course. P.S. don't have sex, the itching after is unbearable."

• Joh...
• October 16, 2015

For Human Papilloma Virus "I just started using this cream, today is my third day. Funny thing is I have not one side effect like everybody talks about, no itching, no swelling, maybe 2% red but nothing. I'm starting to think maybe it's doing nothing for me. But let me give you a little background: I had these tiny bumps on the head of my penis for over 12 years, and since I can remember. No doctor ever told me that these were genital warts. I then went to this dermatologist last week, and he told me he wanted to do a sample on one of the bumps, and he said the lab came back that it was HPV. So now I'm taking this cream...hope it works."

• 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."

• mid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2024

Imiquimod topical "I've been on it for 7 weeks - first 5 weeks 2x/week last 2 weeks 3x/week. In the beginning, it definitely was the most itchy and uncomfortable, and I also started getting eczema on my fingers. I was wearing gloves to apply it but realized I wasn't wearing gloves when I washed it off in the AM - leading to the eczema. The second week it really hurt every time I peed. I didn't realize it until I checked with my doctor, but it's because I had an ulcer - given the vulva is a hard area to apply - my doctor said to use a mirror, that helped to make sure I rubbed everything in well or else an ulcer can form. By my 7th week, I definitely ended up with a pustule (blister with pus), which freaked me out. It might just be because I've upped my dose. I've made sure to basically shower 2x a day, once in the morning and the evening, to prevent any infections, etc., just because that area can get super sweaty. Overall, it's working - so that's what matters most. Just wanted people to know the side effects!"

• sal...
• October 18, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "It’s true: the worse the experience is, the better/quicker the results. Warts appeared on my vulva. I took it for 3 weeks, and the end of week 1- all of week 2 was just so awful. I couldn’t sit/walk. I had no sleep due to intense itching, showers 3x/day. I also experienced a lot of clear drainage coming from the warts as they died, and it would stick/dry to my underwear, so instead I either slept without underwear or I put a pad on. I also put aloe vera, and it soothed the itching. Towards the end of my treatment, warts immediately spread to my inner thighs and some parts of my butt in clusters, which was extremely annoying. Fortunately, they were small, so they were gone in about 2-3 days. Itching still persisted while healing, but I used Vagisil and it immediately went away. Although this cream really does wonders and gets the job done, it left me really sore, and I have scars in my bikini area, which kind of sucks. However, I’m just glad they’re gone. I would rather take some scarring than have these stupid warts again."

• 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."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2021

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I had genital warts, and my gynecologist said to use Aldara 3 times per week. Let me just say, this cream is not pleasant at all. It causes mild itching and discharge sometimes and gave me a sore, but the worst thing is I experience aches and fatigue. After one week, I thought it was not working, but after 2 weeks, the warts have almost flattened and I can see improvement. My advice is really only use it 3 times per week, a thin layer, the next day just start taking Panadol and continue with it. Try not to mess it up by picking at the warts. It will get better, it is just very unpleasant."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2021

For Human Papilloma Virus "This cream is great. I had a few genital warts inside my foreskin, and after two weeks, they are gone - happy days. You must make sure you wash the area and dry it before putting the cream on, and I left it on for ten hours. I put it on a few hours before I went to bed, and the next morning, I washed the area again. I would put the cream on every second night. It doesn't burn or sting, well, it didn't for me. The only thing it did to me was give me a bit of an itch in the morning when I woke up, but as soon as I washed the area, the itch was gone, and I have had no side effects from it, so all good. Just make sure you keep the area clean and put the cream on the wart or warts, not too much cream, just enough for the wart or warts, and rub in till the cream goes clear. Leave for ten hours and wash off after ten hours, leave one day between treatment, and repeat the same again, and that's it."

• non...
• September 7, 2015

For Keratosis "Male, 68 yrs old. My AKs are on my forearms only. First week on 5% Aldara with a protocol of 3 times a week with a non-use day in between each application. Side effects are apparent but not onerous. Quite a bit of reddening and some minor scabbing on each chosen AK (unsightly). Some itching (ignored) started after the 2nd application and has gotten somewhat stronger since then. Feeling some minor fatigue in the day (not normal for me), although I cannot say 100% that it can be blamed on the Aldara. Some minor headaches have been noticed at the end of one week. All these effects were known going in and expected. None of the more dramatic side effects have been noticed. I won't give a rating until I've been on Aldara longer."

• non...
• September 7, 2015

For Keratosis "Male, 68 yrs old. My AKs are on my forearms only. First week on 5% Aldara with a protocol of 3 times a week with a non-use day in between each application. Side effects are apparent but not onerous. Quite a bit of reddening and some minor scabbing on each chosen AK (unsightly). Some itching (ignored) started after the 2nd application and has gotten somewhat stronger since then. Feeling some minor fatigue in the day (not normal for me), although I cannot say 100% that it can be blamed on the Aldara. Some minor headaches have been noticed at the end of one week. All these effects were known going in and expected. None of the more dramatic side effects have been noticed. I won't give a rating until I've been on Aldara longer."

• 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."

• ann...
• October 11, 2015

For Human Papilloma Virus "I have genital warts on the skin of my penis. The doctor recommended that I use Aldara cream to wipe it out. I have applied it for a week, having already applied it three times. I don't feel any pain or itching! I really hope this cream works for me, as I'm scared to go through the freezing or burning treatment. Also, it is quite pricey."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2011

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I am on my 7th day of treatment and have not experienced any of the side effects, except for the skin irritation where the AKs are prevalent."

• hym...
• January 30, 2020

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "Am in the fourth day using Aldara. I can't bear the itchiness, no sleeping. I don't know what to do now."

• ami...
• March 8, 2016

For Human Papilloma Virus "I'm using aldara and now it's my 4th day using this. I hope it works, but I feel inside is swelling and reddish and a little bit itchy in my labia. I have also... I hope it works."