Why has this cream been prescribed?
This cream is designed to treat actinic keratoses (areas of sun damaged skin) on your head or body. It may also be used to treat a form of superficial skin cancer called a Basal Cell Carcinoma (sometimes referred to as rodent ulcer). It picks out and destroys abnormal cells in the top layer of the skin.
How should I use the cream?
It should be applied sparingly to the affected areas once a day for four weeks maximum (or as instructed by the doctor). You may be instructed to restrict applications to small sites such as only one cheek or only one hand and then move to the other sites in turn, or alternatively the cream may be applied to a larger area such as the whole top of the scalp to treat ‘field change’.
What side effects should I expect?
After approximately 7 – 10 days usage, the treated areas will start to become red and inflamed. The appearance of crusting and redness of the skin should not prevent you from continuing with treatment unless this becomes very disabling or disfiguring, and it will not leave permanent scarring.
Efudix can make you more sensitive to sunshine and sunshine may make the reaction more severe. You should be particularly careful in the sun during the treatment period.
How long should the treatment be used for?
The cream should be stopped after four weeks. After stopping, you will start to see improvement in the inflammation over the next few days or weeks, and the final result can be assessed after about four weeks. In some cases it may take a little longer to settle completely.
How should I look after the treated area(s)?
Keep the area clean by gently washing with water.
Apply an antiseptic cream or Vaseline a few hours after Efudix application to any areas that are sore.
Caution
Efudix is particularly dangerous for dogs and cats, even in very small amounts. Please keep tubes out of reach of pets and do not allow them to lick skin that has been treated.
Contact details:
If you wish to speak to a nurse for advice, please contact the number below:
Telephone: 0191 282 5079, between 8.30 am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
Useful websites:
https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/actinic-keratosis
http://www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/patient-information-leaflets
