using effudex on previously treated area

   A year ago I had surgery to remove squamous cell carcinoma on left cheek, then treated the area with effudex. It completely healed and a couple of weeks ago I started applying effudex all over face. It is surprising to see that there is a lot of redness and crusting in the same area that had already been treated with effudex.  Wasn't it supposed to be clear or at least mostly clear? Has anyone had this experience or know why? Thanks

I find that where-ever I put Efudix on my face and scalp it goes red.

My doctor says there is no need to do my face or nose although when I did an experimental patch it went red. An example is my nose and chin which are photographed on my website linked below.

http://www.mynewsplace.co.uk/efudix.html

I regret doing my nose.  I was convinced it wasn't right and did one side only. That side is now redder than the other and the side not done hasn't changed.

So to answer your question it appears in my experience that skin may not be entirely normal but may not need treating right away.

I keep using Efudix if I think something is changing but I do it in small stages as it appears things on my skin happen slower than I fear.

Finally I think if I'd had a full SCC on my face I'd repeat the course in small areas. Efudix isn't a 100% cure and I've found my skin improves every time I've used it.

I live in a very northern latitude and now use 25 or 50 factor suncream every day.

Thank you for your comments, it is helpful to know. From your photos, it looks like it was good you did your nose. 

Have you gotten any bleeding during treatment, and if so, do you stop using effudex on that area? I have stopped doing treatment on areas that ooze because sometimes it goes  on to bleed. I regret not getting all the damaged area, but was told if it bleeds and I continue, it may scar. Thank you and best of luck with your treatment.

Hi Mazuri,

To answer both of your notes.

I have known the crust to crack and then to bleed. I think it says don't treat open wounds but I allowed it to recrust and then carried on as it was only small. They use fluororicil as an internal chemo so I thought to carry on unless I get a side effect.  My doctor didn't comment on this but in general he's very flexible with Efudix. He says some patients use it long term twice a week and others just at weekend. If you're doing a proper course though I'd stick to the daily dose.

I'd also suggest that if it's crusting it's almost done and you could let it heal and then repeat the course in that area.

I've treated my scalp 3 times in 15 months with one area in particular being done for 6 weeks in one course, although my doctor didn't know.  In my opinion it's better now than it's been for 15 years (I'm 60) and gets better each time.

On the other hand my doctor says that for persistent or hard AK he'd rather curette it out, I had 9 curetted 2 yrs ago. He says removing skin is the only sure way.

I've also read on here of other people being told to do second courses.

I'm seeing the doctor later today on my 6 monthly inspection and have 4 small AK in one area just above my forehead. Shame really as it's really smooth everywhere else.

Overall I'm optimistic that Efudix is doing the job and don't mind using it in small areas twice a day for 14 days. Although that's against my doctors orders of once a day.

Just hang on in and keep at it. Good luck.

Thank you for all the information, it is reassuring to hear. I think I will probably end up having to re using the efudex because the original cancer, surgery site is bleeding and I had to stop using the ffudex on it for now  Good luck!