On 12/3/2007
ButterflySwimmer wrote:
I will begin my two times, 21 day treatment with Efudex 5%, tonight. I read that a moisterizer, two hours after application, helps with the tightness and sting of treatment.
Has anyone used Jojoba oil, or Aloe Gel, or another healing oil or therapy? What were your results with them?
I bought Jojoba oil and will try that once I feel the need. My hope is to make this as healing a process as possible. I don't feel comfortable using petroleum on my face. Plus, just thinking about having to wipe it off twice a day, hurts and I haven't even begun yet!
I plan on upping my Omega 3's and hylaronic acid caps, in hopes of healing faster from the inside out. Any other suggestions from those of you that may have tried that?
I am using Carac on my chest, it the V area, and on my arms and hands. I am on day 15 of a 28 day treatment. My hands and arms have been treated twice before, and spots have been frozen off every six months for years, so they aren't that bad. The chest area is awfull. Full on bright red and purple. The burning and itching are really getting to me, but reading all the posts has helped me to be determined to stick with it.
My pharmacist suggested aloe. I tried it and it stung so bad! Then i tried the Aquaphor that has been suggested in the posts. It stings just a bit when applied, but seems to help quite a bit. I washed with Cetaphil in the shower this morning, and that didn't sting at all. It seemed to wash off the Aquafor really well. Of course the Carac treatment is only once a day, so I don't have to wash twice. I've been taking Ibuprofen, and Ambien to help me sleep.
At least in the chest area, I can wear shirts to cover it, but sometimes they irritate it.
I am glad I don't have to use it on my face, but suspect that I will some day.
I am thinking I should be taking vitamins or something to help my body cope with the trauma. I know they don't want us to try to heal the skin while it is being treated. It kind of defeats the purpose.
Good luck with the treatment! I know everyone reacts differently, depending on how extensive the damaged skin is. Apparently my chest is quite damaged.
The irony is that I have been careful with the sun since my oldest brother died from Melanoma in 1970. I never could get a tan, even if I tried.