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Gerad.

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"Beginning week 4. My skin did everything that you've described. It got red and a little swollen. It got very hard and stiff. It did peel. No scabs. No bleeding. That all happened in week 2. I used an exfoliation mild soap. Which stung a little. I waited till I was well into my shower. 20 minutes or so. That worked. My skin was bright red, but very smooth. As I still had 2 more weeks left , I went back to Efudix. My skin then got hard and very tight. Minor peeling. I'm into the final 5 days of Efudix. It's primarily tight, red, and some small cracks pretty much all over my face. I expect my face to peel again. Not like the first time tho.
Then, it's Vaseline
Shaving has not been fun. I went to an electric shaver.
Thank you for all this information. No one told me what to expect and I've done my own research on this.
I guess my only question is, what to expect in the post application process?
I read your story. So, I should expect peeling in the Vaseline process?
I have some cortisone cream. I'm thinking about using that too..not right away. Probably after a few weeks.
Again, Thank you for all this information. It really did help me a great deal.
Thank you.☮️"

  1. Well, a few days into Vaseline. I just moisturize pretty much all day long. I don't allow it to really dry out. That would be crazy. I have put on some hydrocortisone in one spot. On my chin . I wash with just water. No soaps or anything. And certainly no exfoliatants. I got lucky once. I know I won't be that lucky twice. This truly is exhausting. The fatigue is something else.
    As I said earlier, I had no idea what I was getting into.
    But I sure do now..
    I have no idea how long this will last or when the redness will subside.
    I just know I'm over it.
    But, it it what it is.
    So, I'm just gonna keep on keeping on.
    I do find this place very informational. It answers the questions that pop up in my mind. So, again. Thank you.
    I'm hoping this redness goes away. Sometimes, I doubt it will.
    I've read that it's worth doing. I'm hanging on to that.

  2. Hi ! Thanks so much for sharing your Efudex story - this is so helpful for our community to hear, especially those who may be starting treatment soon. I wanted to share an article we have on post-Efudex tips that might be helpful to read: https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/healing-after-efudex. Also, in case you haven't seen it yet, we have a topical chemotherapy hub with tons of great information for Efudex users: https://skincancer.net/topical-chemotherapy-guide. I hope these resources are helpful! I'm so glad you've found our site informative and appreciate you being such an engaged community member. Please keep us posted on your progress! -Alexa (SkinCancer.net moderator)

  3. Thank you for the positive words. I certainly will and do read the articles here and the comments from others. I've been going through this alone. And the Dr's didn't warn me. I got a pamphlet. That showed minor erosion.
    I can understand the reluctance to be open with patients when Efudix is prescribed.
    It's nice to see that other people have gone through this and how open they were or are.
    To be honest, it's comforting.
    And there ain't a whole lot comfort with Efudix.
    Thank you for the link. I'll read it.
    Meanwhile, the after Efudix time period continues.
    On the brightside. I noticed some healing today. Very little. But it's a start.
    Thank you again.
    ☮️

  4. You are certainly experiencing the full array of side effects--I am so very sorry. Know that you are not alone in the pain and you are not alone in being told very little by doctors. It's a sad but very real fact of this treatment.


    I can't imagine having to deal with shaving during treatment. That has to be absolute misery.


    It looks like Alexa has given you some suggestions for post-treatment, but I wanted to address the redness. The first time I treated, I was convinced my skin would always be red and irritated. I saw no hope for ever looking normal again. I learned that simply was not true. I am including a couple of articles that explain what to expect in the weeks following that last application.


    https://skincancer.net/search?s=redness

    https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/healing-after-efudex



    I am wishing you all the best in the coming weeks. Hang in there! It does get better--I assure you! Reach out any time.


    April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator



  5. I have to say, what you did by documenting the effects of Efudex by photographs took courage.
    As for the shaving? It was worse having whiskers. That really irritated my skin..so an electric shaver was the better option..I used both Efudex cream to shave with and Vaseline later.
    I did take a long shower and just slowly rubbed my face and removed more skin..
    My skin certainly did dry out superfast. I put on Hydrocortisone. ManOman. That stung.
    I think Ill go with Vaseline first ,then 2 hrs later, put on Hydrocortisone. That didn't sting nearly as much.
    Redness is lightening a little today..
    I see improvement. Still peeling a little here and there.
    But overall, I'm better than last week. So, I'm hanging in there..
    Your documenting your story really took courage. And you've helped people tremendously. You deserve the gratitude of everyone. And more.
    Thank you April. I can't thank you enough.☮️

  6. Thanks so much for the kind words. It was difficult to actually look at the pictures and watch the videos I made. I knew if I had questions and concerns there must be others who felt the same way. Efudex is a beast, for sure.


    You are right about the Vaseline. Many users find Vaseline very soothing. I have found the opposite to be true. Vaseline makes my treated skin even more irritated. It actually intensifies the burning and stinging. I opt for Vanicream lotion.


    You are likely to see some light peeling for a while, but it does begin to subside and taper off. Your skin will be back to a new, better normal soon!


    Hang in there! You are definitely over the worst of it! April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator

  7. Thank you April.
    The peeling is steadily subsiding. The redness is weakening. Not nearly as red as I was 2 weeks ago.
    I know the results vary from person to person. I'm even at the point where I'll probably go out next week. My final question is: how long before this redness goes away completely?


    I know you can't say it'll be gone in 3 weeks or whatever. I know it takes time. It's my last hurdle. The redness is noticeably lighter. But it feels like it stained my skin . I know it didn't. But this stuff gets inside your head.


    I guess I'm in for a few months more of the slow boat to completing this.
    I am getting tired of the greasiness of Vaseline. But, it's working. I am going to try other stuff you've recommended.


    I was reading up on Hydrocortisone. I have the over the counter stuff. 1%.
    I don't over use it. Two or three times a week..And that's 2 or 3 hours after Vaseline. I amazed how quickly Vaseline is absorbed into this new skin.


    At any rate, Thank you for letting me bend your ear. I still haven't spoken to anyone about this. During covid, I isolated.
    I'm kinda used to the seclusion now. Never thought I'd become a hermit. 😉


    Anyway, I'm going to start planning my next vacation.
    It's either the Canary Island's or Northern Spain.
    Either one works for me. And yes, I have boatloads of sunblock. And a hat. ☮️

  8. First of all...those vacation plans sound amazing! You deserve that break!


    As far as the redness goes, It takes a few months to completely subside--for me, at least. In the months following healing, I have experienced periodic flareups of redness when I get hot or if I take an oral steroid. I completely understand why you describe it as a "stained" look. That's an incredibly accurate way of looking at it. I know it feels like it will never end, but it definitely does.


    Hang in there! You're in the home stretch now!


    April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator

  9. still having some minor redness. Someday it flairs up, but for the most part, it is subsiding. I use a number of different moisturizers now. Vaseline intensive care with Aloe seems to help. Twice a week I use Hydrocortisone 1%. Occasionally straight Vaseline.
    When I wake up, the redness is barely visible. But, after applying moisturizer, it does redden somewhat. Some days worse than others. But, I'm still making progress.
    So, in closing, I'd like to say thank you again.
    You really have helped a great deal.
    As for my vacation..
    I'm going to southern Morocco for two weeks in mid November. The Canarys in March.
    And yes, I bought a sun hat. 🌞

  10. This is awesome news! The redness will certainly linger and you will have flare-ups now and then. I know you are more than looking forward to your trips! Sounds like you will have an awesome time! Sun hats and SPF all the way! April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator