Imiquimod topical and Pain: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2019

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I contracted HPV through someone... I don't know who, but I have been having my fair share of fun. I was nervous at first, but the people who I continued to see didn't care. I initially had them burned off on the shaft of my penis, but it left a scar. So when they came back, I decided to go the cream route. Luckily, places like the LGBT center provide cheap prescriptions for people who can't afford them like me (paid like $10-15 for a good supply). Anyways, I've been using Aldara for 4-5 weeks now, and it's finally working its magic. I've had it twice where it seems to open up as a sore, then scab up and heal. People definitely sweat this as the end of their sex lives or stress over it too much. It's not the end of the world... it will heal... and our bodies will go back to 'normal'. Hang in there!!!"

• M56...
• August 26, 2018

Imiquimod topical 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!"

• Ano...
• March 21, 2019

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I’ve been on Aldara for a week. My first application was okay, no pain whatsoever. Note: I use small amounts overnight every alternative day on the infected area on my labia. I realized that I was getting really tired the day after, but that was it. After the first application, it just got worse, the pain is unbearable. I can’t sleep at night because of the pain. I now have pink sores around the uninfected parts. The space between my thighs and vagina are pink and sore, it also looks like eczema. But with all this pain, the cream is working wonders, in just a week, 70% of my warts are gone. Just the stubborn ones are left. They are big but are getting smaller, but is it worth the pain? I think so because I’m still continuing with it. I’m desperate for these to be gone, and the cream is surely removing them. If you can’t take pain, then don’t, but if you’re a hardcore go-getter like me, it’s worth the try. I hope this information helps someone, this is my honest experience."

• mya...
• April 15, 2011

Imiquimod topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "When treating for Basal Cell Carcinoma, in my case, the arm, HEED THE WARNING to not use on sore or broken skin, which should include recently biopsied lesions to avoid any confusion. Wait until the excision site has healed. I did not receive this instruction and began using it that night. The pain was beyond description, reached deep into the muscle tissue, and lasted for hours. Follow-up phone calls, of course, confirmed the oversight."

• LAD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2018

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I’ve used this multiple times, all on the face. While the treatment is not pretty or painless, the results are wonderful. With surgery, I would have had to undergo plastic surgery to rebuild the cheek area. This treatment was well worth the pain and discomfort. My skin is healthy and no surgeries are required. Be prepared to be stared at, and don’t plan any important business or social events during treatment. It truly is ugly. But again, 6 weeks of discomfort for an exceptional result is worth it to me. My skin was covered in large oozing scabs that didn’t feel good. Washing was miserable. But you can get through anything for 6 weeks for such great results. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Pain and discomfort, headache-better than surgery any day."

• Ads...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2019

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "First off, you're in for a pretty bad 16 weeks or longer! There's no sugar coating it. Less cream is more, and more is too much. You'll notice the warts will get worse before they get better, that's your body trying to fight it off. Avoid sex at all costs. I say that because I couldn't resist 3 times during the treatment, and I went through a lot of pain with ulcers due to the friction. However, sometimes you can get away with light masturbation. If you get ulcers, I used lignocaine gel 2%, it's an anaesthetic that just drips on. Try to clean the area twice a day, and if you have ulcers, just run cool-warm water over it no matter how painful it is, to keep it clean so you don't get an infection. If you get really bad ulcers, it's OK to stop treatment for a week to heal, then continue treatment. I had to stop treatment 3 times due to bad ulcers. The final thing to say is don't give up. It took 13 long weeks till I finally saw improvement, and I'm about to hit 16 weeks, and the warts are pretty much gone."

• Not...
• November 25, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "I never leave reviews for anything... but this one hits a nerve. I contracted anal warts - no bloody idea how, to be honest, but anyways. Seven sessions of cryo didn't help because it was too big by then. It measures about 1.5 x 2.5 cm cluster, it was becoming painful to sit. I was shattered. The doctor suggested Aldara, but even she said she wasn't confident because it is quite big. The first two weeks it was very itchy, very sore, I didn't see much difference. Then, out of nowhere, I saw parts of the wart simply falling off... it has now reduced to about 30% of the size in 3.5 weeks. I'm using it every 2 days. Keen to see what another few weeks will do. If you are in pain during this period, take pain relievers. If it is itchy, use creams or powders to assist. There are other things out there to help you with the temporary side effects. The end results will reward you! I hope this information has helped another person somewhere out there! Good luck! In bad times, there will eventually be good times!"

• Max...
• January 23, 2014

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I used Zyclara for 2 months, applying it for a week and then taking a week off. I have to say, it does work. I had many pre-cancer spots on my forehead, face, and shoulders that stayed there for years, despite annual freezing treatments. Zyclara cleared up these spots, and they seem to be gone permanently. As for side effects, it was a terrible experience, but only for the first couple of weeks. Basically, the first week of treatment was Hell, the second week was Heck, and the third and fourth weeks were Gosh and Golly. So, only the first week of treatment was painful. For that first week of treatment, it was like being hit with both a body-aching flu and a sleeping sickness at the same time."

• Vor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I am using Aldara on 6 sites and would not recommend any more than that. It is about my 4th use of the drug, and apart from slight flu-like symptoms when I first started, I have suffered no general side effects. I am quite active and still feel energetic enough to run, cycle, and play tennis, as well as do DIY! However, the lesions are something else. To give reassurance to anyone using it for the first time, the reaction on the skin can be quite alarming, BUT is perfectly normal and shows it is working. Do read the leaflet. My neck and behind my ears have reacted severely, with heavy scabbing, some weeping, and painful at night. It is a chore applying and washing off, but do persevere. It will all heal within a week of stopping."

• Par...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2015

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "9/10 rating simply because, like all treatments currently available, it gets rid of the symptom (warts), not the illness (HPV). I had a bout of genital warts, all spaced all over my genital area (clitoris included). After having read about the treatment, I was so scared that I did not use it for the first 2 weeks, but for me, liquid nitrogen was way too painful. Remember, everybody reacts differently; don't be discouraged. I am very sensitive to pain and have gone through this with no burning sensations, absolutely no side effects aside from expected sensitivity, and by the first week of use, I noticed a considerable difference. Dosage: 3 times/week on alternating days, e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday for 6-10 hours at night (I left it on for 8-10)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2013

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I am on week 5. I first used it on my arms with no result, so I decided to do my forehead. A few spots came out. Now I'm doing my chest area... major sun damage! I'm not going to lie, it itches and burns. If all these spots are pre-cancer cells, then it's definitely worth a few weeks of pain and discomfort! I just told my co-workers what I was doing, so I didn't feel the need to 'cover up.' It actually feels better not to have clothes rub on it. I take Advil for the pain. If only I could go back in time and tell myself to get out of the tanning beds, it's not worth it!"

• Ord...
• December 11, 2019

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "Got HPV. I did quarterly STD checks and nothing came up. I am half circumcised. It all started with a small white head kind of thing on the internal foreskin, and my doctor initially said it could be a protruded sebaceous gland. So, didn’t pay much attention. After 2 months, that became a small cluster about 5 mm in length. That's when my doctor said it's a penile wart. I was devastated and got into a very low mood for days, almost thinking about this growth all the time. I was prescribed this drug. After five applications, the skin got super sore, and blisters appeared with pus. The doctor said that means the cream is working. I had to stop for a week or so because of the scary reaction it had. In addition, even though the warts subsided, they grew back. I started applying the second round, and the same reaction occurred after the third application. Took a break again, but this time the warts magically disappeared. Such a great feeling now!!!!"

• ros...
• February 4, 2009

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Applying it once a day every day for five days is easier than I at first thought. Luckily, the sites are on my shoulder blade area so I can reach them. Had they been in the middle or lower down, I would not be able to apply the cream. After a few days, the skin turned to sore welts which crusted. It is uncomfortable sleeping sometimes too. Last week (after two full weeks of treatment), I had to miss a day's application because the sores were too painful. I still have many more weeks to continue, and I really want to stop, but I shall persist."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2014

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I first used this on my nose and cheek. I had a pretty strong reaction, which caused my eye to swell a little. I checked with the PA and decided to continue the medicine despite the discomfort. Next, I used it on my forehead and chest. I did not have a reaction on the forehead, but had a strong reaction on my chest. By that, I mean there were lots of red bumps which hurt and were itchy. I will stick with it though. It beats having more surgeries to remove the cancer."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2015

Imiquimod topical 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."

• Rra...
• June 17, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I'm starting my second week of six weeks for a spot on my chest. I thought it was an allergic reaction after the first night I took it. My entire chest is covered in red, swollen, now crusty welts that are painful. The doctor said those are all cancerous cells he couldn't see with the naked eye, and it's good that it's bringing them out. Honestly, I don't know if I can make it six weeks. The pain is bad, I'm nauseous all day, I have achy muscles, and feel tired. I have a high pain tolerance, so for me to be so bothered is unusual. I know it's working too well. I'll try and stick it out, what's my alternative? I also have to wear shirts that cover up to my neck, it's so bad."

• Mot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2020

Imiquimod topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "I started using the Aldara cream on the 29th of June after being diagnosed with a basal cell carcinoma on my nose. It’s now been 5 weeks of use, and the area is sore, red, crusty, and oozing, which is exactly what should be happening. I still have another week of use, but so far my doctor has been happy with my progress and said that the worse the area of the cancer cells looks after use, the better."

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

Imiquimod topical 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."

• Luc...
• July 1, 2020

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "The cream worked amazingly! My warts cleared away within 2 weeks of using the cream. The skin where the warts were is now smooth and wart-free. However, it was incredibly painful, the cream causes severe skin reactions. For me, I developed sores and blisters on my vagina after the first week. When I peed, it felt like my skin was on fire because it made contact with the blisters. I found I couldn't sit or walk without being in agony. However, I persisted, and by the end of the week, it was clear. Some tips! -Aloe vera is your best friend. Apply it as often as you can because it will help with the blisters and irritated skin. -When peeing, take a glass of cold water and pour it at the same time, or squirt bottled water. This really helps with the burning and stinging. Also, apply aloe vera after peeing. -DON'T apply too much cream or leave it on for more than 10 hours. I think lathering the cream on didn't help the severe reactions I was having."

• liv...
• October 26, 2020

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I got prescribed Aldara by my local sexual health clinic to treat genital warts. I thought my warts were the end of the world until I used Aldara. After applying the cream twice (as directed, only on the warts and every other night, washing it off in the morning), boy, did I regret my life choices. My entire vagina swelled up the following day, and ulcer-type sores appeared everywhere in that area. I couldn’t move without being in excruciating pain, and I almost passed out every time I peed. I ended up in the hospital on a 7-day course of antibiotics, as well as dihydrocodiene to manage the pain. Stay away from this cream - it should not be prescribed!!! After doing extensive reading online about Aldara, I quickly realized that so many people had been through the same as me. The warts eventually go away on their own, or there are other treatments such as freezing them off. Please, please stay away from this cream."

• Fai...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 18, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Have used imiquimod several times for various basal cell cancers on face and chest. I treat every other day as prescribed. On face, there can be significant pain from local swelling, but the treatments do work. No pain on chest. As an alternative to surgery, which I've had a few times, I'll take the soreness. One sachet can last several treatments. I break off the end of a Q-tip and use the blunt end to apply. The site is small enough so that one packet lasts about four or five applications. I apply and let it absorb/dry in the morning before work. I apply the drug for about four weeks, let the site finish healing, and then go back to the dermatologist."

• Chu...
• May 15, 2015

For Human Papilloma Virus "I really screwed up with this medication. I put too much on and just thought the burning was it working. I had one small anal wart and thought I would 'go hard or go home.' I went hard with the cream, and I had a horrible reaction to it. My skin was so raw I could not walk. If water touched it in the shower, it was a pain unlike any I have felt. Washing it burned, sitting hurt, walking hurt, sneezing hurt, going to the restroom was painful beyond belief, everything made it hurt. Just be very careful and only apply a tiny amount to the affected area. Don't be stupid like me. It does work great, but can be unbearably painful if used wrong. It will heal if you do go overboard, but it takes a week or so of pampering."

• Chu...
• May 15, 2015

For Human Papilloma Virus "I really screwed up with this medication. I put too much on and just thought the burning was it working. I had one small anal wart and thought I would 'go hard or go home.' I went hard with the cream, and I had a horrible reaction to it. My skin was so raw I could not walk. If water touched it in the shower, it was a pain unlike any I have felt. Washing it burned, sitting hurt, walking hurt, sneezing hurt, going to the restroom was painful beyond belief, everything made it hurt. Just be very careful and only apply a tiny amount to the affected area. Don't be stupid like me. It does work great, but can be unbearably painful if used wrong. It will heal if you do go overboard, but it takes a week or so of pampering."

• Kat...
• June 22, 2016

Imiquimod topical 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."

• Kat...
• June 22, 2016

Imiquimod topical 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."