How effective is Aldara for skin cancer?
Treatment was given daily for 16 weeks. Squamous cell carcinoma in situ disappeared completely in 73% of the patients treated with Aldara.
How long does it take for skin to heal after using Aldara?
Official Answer. Aldara (imiquimod) burns and scabs can take up to 4 weeks to heal once treatment has been stopped. Skin at the site of application may begin scabbing and flaking and become red, swollen and sore within the first 5 days of treatment.
Can Aldara cure basal cell carcinoma?
Information about treating large tumours with imiquimod is limited, but cure rates appear to decrease as tumour size increases. In one small trial the clearance rate was 65% (95% CI 38% to 86%) when the tumour size was > 7.25 cm2, but 90% (95% CI 78% to 97%) for smaller tumours.
How do I know if Aldara is working?
Inflammation is a good sign, as it shows the cream is working. Generally the more intense the inflammation the better the end result. The surrounding skin may also become inflamed, but this will settle when you stop using the cream. Skin redness may take up to 4 weeks to subside (after stopping treatment).
How long does it take for Aldara to start working?
It usually takes 8-10 weeks for your warts to disappear, but warts may clear as early as 4 weeks. If your warts reappear, talk to your doctor. If your skin reacts badly to Aldara, your doctor may recommend that you stop treatment for a few days.
How does skin heal after Aldara?
If Imiquimod works for your condition, your skin usually gets worse (red and sore) before it gets better. The redness and soreness settles about 2 weeks after stopping the treatment. If used for sun-damage, the skin will eventually appear much smoother.
Is Aldara a chemotherapy cream?
Topical chemotherapy is applied with a cream such as Efudex (5-fluorouracil), Carac (5-fluorouracil), or Aldara (imiquimod). It is a highly effective treatment for pre-cancerous lesions such as Actinic Keratoses (AK).
How do you use Aldara for skin cancer?
Apply a thin layer to the affected area of the skin just before bedtime. Rub it in gently. Allow the medicine to stay on the treated skin for 8 hours (for actinic keratosis or basal cell carcinoma) or 6 to 10 hours (for genital warts). Do not take a bath, swim, or get the treated area wet during this time.
Does Aldara weaken immune system?
However, as imiquimod stimulates the immune system, the manufacturer states that Aldara should be used with caution in people who are taking medicines to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants), for example following an organ transplant or to treat an autoimmune disease, because there is the possibility that it …