Im using Efudix at the moment for multiple AK on my head and back. The skin gets very hot and sore in the last week of treatment. The sun aggravates this. Putting suncream on top of treated area risks diluting the Efudix. A hat with brim is what is needed. Not just during treatment or on holiday but all the time. You are highly likely to have other sun damaged areas of skin. Which with more exposure to UV will progress to AKs. Possibly BCC or SCC over time. Take care of all your skin or risk future skin cancers, like me. 

Ed

Thanks, Ed. The Dr didn't explain how uncomfortable the treatment could be. I've done a bit more research to see what it will be like, and I think I'll have to have it until after the holiday, as I can't risk it being really bad and not having access to my Dr. Also, even with a big hat, I can't imagine not being able to put sunscreen on it, as I use that everyday now (pity I didn't do that fifty years ago, but I can't change that!).

Thanks for your advice, and I wish you good health

You don't say whether you are male or female. If female, I suggest that whilst on holiday you have a UV50 sun parasol to use whilst walking around. I can't live without mine because it not only stops my head sweating if I wear a hat, it also covers the upper body (in case I've missed a bit of chest or shoulders with the sunscreen).

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi jnbrib

Probably a good plan to postpone the efudix until after your holiday. 2 tips on applying efudix to your head . Dont apply in the evening as it will rub off on your pillow and end up on your eyelids. Very distressing. if you apply in morning thoroughly wash the area before bed. At the end of treatment you can use over the counter hydrocortisone 1% cream to help reduce inflammation and cool the affected  area.I too wish we had known about excessive sun exposure 50 years ago but it was not a thing back then. Even though people do now know many still get sun burned skin. Enjoy your holiday and keep well.

Ed

Thanks for taking the time to reply Angie. I'm a female, so that's an option for me too!

Wishing you well. 

Thanks Ed, I'll get some cream in so that I'm ready for the end of treatment.

HI Angie

What a brilliant suggestion re using a parasol in the sun. I see more and more people using these and they can look quite chic. Ive just got 2 new wide brimmed hats A classic Tilley sun hat and a Barmah Australian squashhy bush hat which can fold flat in luggage. Plus a litre of factor 50spf suncream. Hope life is going ok fpr you.

Ed

HI Angie

What a brilliant suggestion re using a parasol in the sun. I see more and more people using these and they can look quite chic. Ive just got 2 new wide brimmed hats A classic Tilley sun hat and a Barmah Australian squashhy bush hat which can fold flat in luggage. Plus a litre of factor 50spf suncream. Hope life is going ok fpr you.

Ed

1. I have treated quite a few areas of AK over the last few years with Efudix  I certainly would wait till after your holiday as it can be painful towards the end of the treatment and once erosion has occurred make sure the area treated is kept well away from the sun and factor 50 applied daily I am so careful in the sun these days as mine are due to sunbathing most of my life I use a gradual tanning cream these days and stay under the brolly when abroad 

Hi AnxiousBetty. Can I ask what you mean by 'when erosion has occured' please? Is this when I've finished the four weeks?  Also, may seem like a stupid question, but I assume that during treatment, as well as wearing a hat, can I still apply my suncream to the other parts of my face that aren't being treated (as I've been told to apply it to 1cm square only), as I'm used to doing this several times a day?

Sorry for all the questions.  My consultation with the Dr was about a mole (which is fine) and I mentioned this patch of skin, resulting in the AK diagnosis. So, the need for treatment was a complete surprise, and I didn't get the chance to ask questions.  This thread is so useful, as hearing from people who have gone through this is much better than just reading about it. 

Yes you are right, thankfully more people are using them. When I first used my parasol, 10 years ago in Venice, a local laughed at me & said 'It's not raining.' It made me quite self conscious at first but I refused to be cowed! Thankfully lots of Japanese tourists use them and as years have gone by, more Europeans are using them. It's been a godsend on foreign holidays. I even used it at York races once & a few women asked me where I had got it from, whilst they fried in the sun! I also have UV hats from Solbari, for the times a parasol isn't practical.  

Hi again

Erosion is when the skin is red and angry looking and the Efudix has burned off some layers of skin and hopefully the DNA damaged skin cells. You can apply the efudix to a slightly larger area as it mainly attacks the sun damaged skin with little or no effect on healthy skin. Yes you can put suncream on other parts of your face not being treated. You wont want to expose the treated area to the sun as iy would be very uncomfortable. A few months after treatment you skin should settle down and as healthy skin tissue regrows it will be smooth again. Wishing you a good result from your treatment.

Ed

Hi Angie

As people are becoming more aware of skin cancer I do notice increasing numbers protecting themselves from the sun with hats, clothing and parasols and suncream. I have a collection of large hats which I wear all the time, I have skin grafts on my head that I dont want to bump or have any exposure to the sun. I ignore the occasional comment or odd look. Ive heard the solbari UV range of hats and clothing are very good. With UK UV levels now getting up to 6 the conversation here around skin cancer is quite timely. 

Ed

I can see Farmer Ed has answered re erosion It can be quite painful and doesn’t look great either but I live with that as I know it’s removing pre cancerous cells Get some Aquafor cream Amazon do it I find it’s better than Vaseline Use it on the area once you have finished with the cream as it keeps the skin supple Definitely apply sun screen on your face but definitely keep the treat area away from the sun I did the bottom of my leg last year and kept it covered and out of the sun all last summer TBH as much as I love a sun tan I am very careful now and use a gradual tanning cream instead of harmful sun rays Hope this helps I would post photos of the erosion stages I suffered but pretty certain not allowed . There are photos online just so you know what to expect and when to stop using the cream 

I agree completely Ed. As more UK clothing companies come onboard to provide UV clothing, it means there is now an affordable choice for everyone. 

Angie