Efudex as treatment for damaged skin

Hi @leper. Welcome to Connect, an online community where you can find support from others who have been there. We are glad you are here. I did some research on Efudex and it sounds like it can be a long-term solution if your doctor recommends continued use and if it seems to be working. Do you find that it helps?

In terms of side effects, most are the typical ones you'd expect: skin irritation, burning, redness, dryness, pain, swelling, tenderness, or changes in skin color may occur at the site of application. Other side effects include eye irritation, trouble sleeping, irritability, temporary hair loss, or abnormal taste in the mouth. Rare but serious side effects include stomach/abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, signs of infection, easy bruising/bleeding and mouth sores, so if you notice any of those, definitely talk to your doctor immediately.

I'm also tagging @mlemieux who has dealt with skin issues and may be able to provide some tips. Hope this helps!

leper: for some reason unknown to Dr's. The sun exposure causes flare-ups,<br />
with my immune system which puts me down for weeks. I love the outdoors but<br />
don't go out as much as I used to. I love to work in my yard, so I wear<br />
long sleeves, a hat, which I make sure the brim is large enough to shade my<br />
face are else I get big blisters. I've learned to find was that compliment<br />
my life being I've been sick for most of my life, it's just been worse for<br />
the last few years. It's a lifestyle change, and I have learned to pace<br />
myself and when I feel my body needs to stop I stop. I find that listening<br />
to my body and eating right help me, now when I go eat out I will eat what<br />
I want ( don't eat out often). I live in Louisiana, so we don't have those<br />
cold winters and our summers are HOT!!!! I hope the medication they put you<br />
on helps and you get the relief you need. salena 54<br />
<br />
salena<br />

Thanks salena, Louisiana is lower and therefore not as intense of sun exposure. Glad you still enjoy the out of doors, and are wise about it. Sun exposure gives me cold sores, it is a form of herpes, which reeks havoc with my immune system. Sun is a major stressor for my system, but I won't stay inside. Thanks for your response, I hope you stay strong.<br />
<br />

Thanks for your response. This is my first real time using efudex so the jury is out. It sounds painful, and I know it is, but I will do my best with it. Wish there was a secondary skin one could wear to protect from the sun.<br />
Thanks so much<br />
<br />

leper Dear soul, I have Celtic skin and have had surgery to remove a deep Basal Cell Carcinoma on the right side of my nostrils about five years ago. I keep checking to see if I have any other signs of it returning. Several of my sons have had BCC removed from their arms and face. I do not go out in the sun if I can help it. When I do, I always forget the sun screen. If you do enjoy the sun, wear a large brimmed hat and keep your arms and upper body covered. with comfortable light colored garments. If you wear shorts use sunscreen of a good quality. I should take my own advise. I am elderly and have spine problems so I stay indoors most of the time. Good luck to you dear.

Very kind of you, thank you.<br />
The sun is a major stressor to certain individuals, myself included<br />
I love life and the great outdoors<br />
But realize I must be careful<br />
Good luck to you, this situation of "elderly" is inevitable and universal,<br />
To be celebrated<br />
<br />
<br />

Hi @leper! We took your questions to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

"Efudex is a very powerful medication. It is not typically used long term. Most courses of treatment last 2 to 4 (sometimes 6) weeks if treating actinic or solar keratosis, and up to 12 weeks for superficial basal cell carcinoma. It is important to wear a glove when applying it and/or washing hands immediately after application. Common side effects include: scaling at the application site, dryness, crusting, skin erosion, redness, stinging, burning, itching, swelling, and pain. The side effects may last for several weeks after stopping the medication. It will also cause you to be even more sensitive to sun leading to severe sunburn, so use additional care while outside.

The side effects are intense and most occur in at least half (scaling, dryness, and redness occur in about 95-99% of patients), but the medication is widely used and works well.

The best way to avoid needing it again in the future is to use high SPF sunscreen on a daily basis, even when going outside for a short amount of time. I hope the treatment goes well for you with minimal side effects."

I hope you find this information helpful and empowering.

It sounds like you love being outside. Do you have any tips for protecting your skin from the sun that others may benefit from? Any particular sunscreen you really like?

Hi to all... I have malignant melanoma, multiple squamous, and basal, actions keratosis...have had several general surgeries for the melanoma. I never am able to lengthen my appointments because the squamous cells are aggressive and also have required surgery. I am writing to say I had a wonderful experience with effudex. As an RN, I was aware of the severity of the skin reactions and held off a while till my doctor convinced me to try "his way". That meant to apply to my face Monday and thurs nite only, once a day ,twice a week. It worked without the horrible burning . A treatment lasted 6 weeks.
6 months later, we moved down to my neck, and upper chest. My chest was a mess of ketosis and minor damages. Pretty clear now. Well worth trying it this way if doctor permits. I could not have tolerated the every day,twice a day regime. My face and chest look a hundred times better. Ps I never ever go out without high spf.
My entire family has skin cancers of various degrees, including my 17 year old with malignant melanoma who never left the house without sunscreen. I am convinced this is a combination of things, ozone, gene pool, etc. Good luck,all. Stay healthy