Aldara and Swelling: What Users Say

• Fre...
• April 5, 2011

For Human Papilloma Virus "I was extremely hesitant to use this medicine because of the price and because I had read horror stories about it online. But I was desperate because of unsightly warts, so I took the plunge. I made sure to apply with a magnification mirror and a q-tip. I can't stress enough how important it was to ONLY apply it exactly where the warts were. My side effects included swelling and itching around the affected area and some fatigue/aches. After using it 4 times, my warts were gone. Worth it worth it worth it. Just be careful not to put it on any healthy skin."

• liv...
• October 26, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "I got prescribed Aldara by my local sexual health clinic to treat genital warts. I thought my warts were the end of the world until I used Aldara. After applying the cream twice (as directed, only on the warts and every other night, washing it off in the morning), boy, did I regret my life choices. My entire vagina swelled up the following day, and ulcer-type sores appeared everywhere in that area. I couldn’t move without being in excruciating pain, and I almost passed out every time I peed. I ended up in the hospital on a 7-day course of antibiotics, as well as dihydrocodiene to manage the pain. Stay away from this cream - it should not be prescribed!!! After doing extensive reading online about Aldara, I quickly realized that so many people had been through the same as me. The warts eventually go away on their own, or there are other treatments such as freezing them off. Please, please stay away from this cream."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I treated several areas of my face with Aldara in 2007. My reaction was so severe after 10 days of use that my dermatologist advised me to discontinue the use. I thought I broke my metacarpal, trapezoid, and trapezium. It was swollen and I had such pain I could not even hold a pen. Of course, it had to be my right thumb, and I am right-handed, which is also the hand I applied the cream with. I had an orthopedic friend order an X-ray, which came back as arthritis in those areas. One of the rare side effects, however, I also had fever, chills, malaise, and really ugly inflammation. I have since had to have several lesions surgically removed, involving skin grafts, some removed with the use of liquid nitrogen, and now my dermatologist is recommending I treat them again with Aldara. Not a chance! I will try the Efudex again, however, it did nothing the first time I used it, but that was several years ago, maybe 2000 or earlier."

• XXX...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "In the first week of using this cream, I felt no difference, although now I’m in my second week (I apply Mon, Wed, Fri for 16 weeks), and I’ve got a sore throat and sneezing, also, down there burns and itches like anything! I’ve noticed swelling around the surrounding area of the wart (I only have one), but I have noticed it’s decreasing in size slowly but surely! To reduce the itchiness, take two showers per day (no scented shower gels) to keep them clean. Also, if you can, don’t wear underwear as the friction can make it more painful. For the pain while urinating, take a cup or jug and rinse off with cool water! Although the pain is unbearable sometimes, try and stick it out. :)"

• Min...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2019

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I am in complete agreement with 'Old Ruth.' Nothing happened for about 10 days, but when it did, wow! Instead of having one lesion only, it turned out that I had them all over my nose. It became swollen, then stretched, then 'crusty,' and then the whole mess disappeared and has not returned, 5 years now. The biggest drawback is the price! It was on half-prescription when I began, but very shortly thereafter it was taken off prescription (I live in Spain) and reverted to 84 euros. I wouldn't mind, except with the little sachets, you don't seem to be getting much for your money. More recently, I have had a similar lesion on my temple. I have been using Diclofenac partly because it seems to have a good reputation, and partly because it is MUCH cheaper. The jury is still out, but it seems to be having more or less the same effect as the Aldara."

• Gir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "Aldara works wonders. I used it as prescribed, and within 2 weeks, most of the really large lesions were gone! The only downside to Aldara is the side effects. The itching, swelling, and redness around the affected area were almost unbearable! I’m on my 5th week of treatment, and honestly, I can’t wait for this to be over."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "After using it for 2 days, I noticed my warts shrinking and thought, hell yeah! By the end of the week, I can’t sleep because the small amount I’m putting in has burnt my penis, and it’s swollen and very red! It’s now been 3 weeks since I stopped using the product, and I still can’t touch my penis and pull back the skin without it bringing me to tears! The pain is unbelievable, and I will never forget it. Just walking around with underwear on hurts because it rubs."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "Tomorrow will be my 4th day of using Aldara. I had extreme body aches, headaches, and horrible nausea. While doing my research, I found that Aldara has this side effect, but I do also have a bladder infection (not related). My vagina is extremely red, swollen, itchy, and it looks as if my skin is melting. Let me not even get started on the burning when I pee, bear in mind I have a bladder infection, so my urine is very concentrated, so it burns so bad! My warts are going down, and I only take it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, skipping the weekend. My treatment should last 4 weeks, but this pain is worse than a bad case of thrush. I hope it gets rid of all of my warts."

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2022

For Human Papilloma Virus "I got diagnosed with genital warts a few weeks ago. My doctor recommended Aldara. I thought the cost was unbearable for me, but I had to try it out as I had been told it's the best you can have for sensitive areas. I applied as the doctor had recommended, ensuring I maintained cleanliness down there to avoid infection. I had a really bad reaction to it (sores, itching, inflammation, and pain), but I knew I wanted to clear the warts. By the second week, the small warts had cleared, and now I'm only dealing with the warts on my labia minora. This cream is doing wonders. I'd thought my life of intimacy had come to an end, but now I'm hopeful to also clear the virus."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2025

For Condylomata Acuminata "Four weeks and my warts are pretty much gone! Yes, you have to be incredibly patient, and it can be incredibly uncomfortable, but it does what it says. Key things I noticed - inflammation, red, raw, and cold-like symptoms. Always felt fatigued the next day during weeks 2-3. But I really saw a difference from week 3 to week 4. Noticed I have some internal warts that I don’t think are appropriate for Aldara, so getting those frozen off, but the combination I think is great. I would use this again - especially if I catch them early and they don’t morph into anything bigger. Unfortunately, I was traveling, so I let them grow quite considerably."

• Cru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2022

For Human Papilloma Virus "This treatment regimen was a real test of endurance. I used this to treat some small warts around the anus and the groin, which appeared after I had a large wart in the groin removed through surgery. This treatment was really tough going and only really started to work after 11 weeks. To be honest, I thought it would work sooner if it was going to work, and also because I had a lot of inflammation, weeping, and rawness. I also bled quite a bit and had to repeatedly stop the treatment. I got to about 14 weeks before I had to quit because I wasn’t healing anymore and the pain was too much, but after a few weeks of stopping, I am pretty much back to normal, which I honestly never thought would happen, especially as treatment caused one of my small warts to get quite swollen. Because of the location, it was difficult to be sparing with application, which probably contributed to symptoms. I used one sachet per week and kept it in a zip lock bag in the fridge because it's not cheap, and this worked for me."