Efudex Question
I’m on day four of a four week, twice per day regimen of Efudex on my back. I’ve been putting a tee shirt on immediately after my husband puts the cream on the area. Could the shirt be absorbing cream instead of it being absorbed by skin? My husband says the area is now a little red.
...I am so sorry you are dealing with Efudex treatment. I can certainly be a challenge.
In my experience, the treated area begins to become red and irritated around the end of the first week of application. From there, it usually becomes itchy and raw and grows increasingly tender.
Treating the back is very difficult. It's so hard to go without a shirt to let the cream dry. My best advice is to wait as long as you can to put on a shirt or try to wear a tank top if that's an option for you. I have always been advised by my dermatologist to let the cream absorb before bed.
Is this your first time to treat?
I am including a few articles with some tips and some that give an idea of what to expect as you continue application.
https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/tips-for-efudex-users
https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/efudex-side-effects
https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/efudex-side-effects-tips
I am keeping you in my thoughts as you continue. We are here for you any time! Don't hesitate to reach out.
April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator
I haven't done my back yet - I don't have anyone to apply the cream properly - but I will when I can. What I've found works with extremities and trunk is, yes, waiting a couple of hours before dressing or going to bed, but also covering the area with plastic food wrap.
I'm wrapping my thighs at the moment. This does two things: 1) it prevents the cream rubbing off before it's had a chance to be absorbed, and 2) it intensifies the reaction, as occluding the treatment area has been shown to help with extremities such as hands/arms and lower legs.
So for my back, I'd probably try and do the same thing. But be careful; I wouldn't treat the whole back at the same time as this is more than the maximum recommended treatment area (about 22 sq cm) and you could get pronounced side effects such as nausea, headaches, indigestion, etc.It usually passes if you persevere. I think you build a tolerance for it systemically (just a guess). I say this because my nausea, etc has never been as bad as when I did my initial application (face, neck, ears and one arm - way too much area in any case). Not to say it's negligible (refer above), just not as intense.
See if you can do one arm at a time, or even one side, or upper arm, then forearm separately. It's definitely worth the pain for the gain, skin health-wise. One other reason to split the application between arms is that it's easier to sleep, apply cream, wash, etc if only one arm is a ball of misery (in the last week of application and the 1-2 weeks after you stop).
Good luck!Great advice! Thanks for sharing with the community. I agree--one arm at a time would be much more doable. April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator
