May 24, 2013
I think everyone can relate to this...remember when you were a kid and you skinned your knee or elbow (just that top layer of skin) on the pavement and it was painful to touch, water, ointment, and a bandage? Well, that is what my face feels like today (neck and chest are itchy and red).
This morning my face was a little swollen, and after showering it was very dry and tight especially around my mouth and chin. Water is not as soothing as it was two days ago. Some areas feel like they are starting to scab.
I just wanted to point out again how much worse my left side is (the side that is always exposed when driving).
Did you know?
20 MINUTES. This is how fast skin can get damaged from the sunlight passing through a window.
Because glass blocks UVB rays, you won't develop an obvious red flag, such as pinkness or a visible burn. This can create a false sense of securtiy: More than half of UVA rays sneak through glass, contributing to wrinkles and skin cancer. Anytime you are in a sunlit office or car, you're exposed to UV rays. ~ New York Dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman
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| My left side |
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| My right side |
May 23, 2013
I'm feeling pretty good for day 10. Although my face is more red and the itchy prickly feeling is more intense, I really don't have any pain. And as far as it feeling like a sunburn, I've had worse (which is why I'm here now). Honestly, after reading other Efudex blogs, I thought I would have my doctor on speed dial for pain meds.
After washing my face, my skin gets very tight, dry, and itchy. I look forward to applying the Efudex cream for some relief.
I'm feeling quite motivated to complete this treatment as I see the cream doing its job (4 more days of applying Efudex). It's interesting, yet not a surprise, to see that the left side of my face and neck (the side that is always exposed when driving) is worse than the right side.
At this point, I'm taking it day by day. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
==> By the way, a friend of mine made a comment about how serious I look in these pictures, and why can't I smile (you know who you are :). The reason I'm not smiling is because I wanted a good representation of my changes from day to day and smiling could possibly interfere with that, and the other reason is because I think smiling is going to be painful soon.
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| My left side |
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| My right side |
May 22, 2013
Pretty much the same as yesterday, feels like a major sunburn (without the heat). and maybe a little more redness and prickly feeling on face and neck.
I've been using a cool rung wash cloth to dab on my face and neck and then the Eucerin Aquaphor healing ointment to help soothe the itching and prickling.
May 21, 2013
Ok, Efudex has kicked off week two with a little more burn. I really feel it on my cheeks and neck, but still tolerable. I'm feeling better today, not as tired, and have to remember to take my vitamins, drink lots of water, and get lots of rest...my body is working hard to fight against the Efudex attack.
May 19, 2013
Day 6 was tough in the sense that I was a little sick to my stomach and just wanted to sleep. I'm not sure it it was related to the Efudex or I was just exhausted. No pictures for day 6, and really no significant change from day 5.
May 20, 2013
Day 7 my face is more red. It is burning, itchy, yet tolerable...it is my neck that is driving me crazy with the itching. Day 7 was another sleeping day so I just laid low and took it easy. The warm weather (even in the shade) intensifies the burning and itching, and have notices my face gets "sweaty" for lack of a better word. It's not drippy sweating, but more like when you put sunscreen on your face and then you go in the sun and your face beads up with sweat. I've been dabbing gently, not wiping, with a tissue.
Note: The Eucerin Aquaphor is really helping to keep my lips, eyes, and nose creases protected from the oh so drying Efudex! I highly recommend it.
May 18, 2013
Things are starting to flare up, face is a bit red, itchy, dry (after washing and before applying cream). The area between my eye brows feels like a road rash (sorry the pictures is not showing what I'm talking about, but trust me, the cream is kicking in). Every area I've applied the Efudex cream (face, ears, neck and chest) is sensitive to the sun and heat (warm weather).
Areas with significant changes due to the Efudex cream:
- the area between my eye brows closest to the right brow
- spot to the right of my nose, just under my eye
- cheeks
May 17, 2013
My morning routine
6:15 shower, wash face, neck, and chest (giving a little scrub with a soft face brush while I can).
6:45 coffee, watch the news, and get my 3 year old ready for school while my face dries thoroughly.
7:30 apply Efudex on face, ears, neck and chest
As my face was drying, I realized how dry and itchy my face and chest was. I was actually looking forward to applying the Efudex cream because it makes it greasy.
Here are day four pictures with Efudex applied. Not much change, but getting a little itchier (is that a word?)
