What are the indications for imiquimod?
Mia Smith
Published Jun 22, 2026
What are the indications for imiquimod?
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Myalgia, back pain. Nervous system disorders: Headache. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Burning, itching, excoriation, crusting, flaking, oedema.
How long does imiquimod take to heal?
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 I use imiquimod on my face?
Imiquimod cream is used to treat certain types of actinic keratoses (flat, scaly growths on the skin caused by too much sun exposure) on the face or scalp.
Does imiquimod leave a scar?
Following a severe reaction, there is a small risk of scarring and hair loss in the treated area. Imiquimod cream activates the immune system, and very rarely there have been reports of pre-existing autoimmune disease flaring up.
Can you use imiquimod everyday?
Imiquimod comes as a cream to apply to the skin. If you are using imiquimod cream to treat actinic keratoses, you will probably apply it once a day for 2 days a week, 3 to 4 days apart (e.g., Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday).
How strong is imiquimod?
The active ingredient is Imiquimod (5% concentration), which stimulates the immune system to identify abnormal cells and remove them; this helps to destroy the skin cancer or sun damaged skin. As the cream works your skin may become red, irritated and uncomfortable.
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 …
Can Aldara make you feel sick?
Allergic reactions to Aldara are rare. If you have a severe reaction, there is a small risk of scarring or hair loss. Rarely, Aldara can cause a flare up of a pre-existing autoimmune disease. You may develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever (high temperature), swollen lymph nodes, aches and generally feeling unwell.
Does imiquimod have side effects?
Common side effects of Aldara topical include: treatment area reactions such as skin redness, swelling, itching, irritation, dryness, burning, pain, tenderness, thickening/hardening of the skin, peeling/flaking/scabbing/crusting, or leaking a clear fluid.
What is the best treatment for solar keratosis?
There are several treatments for solar keratosis. Aldara is a good treatment for this kind of keratosis and it simply works by making the immune destroy precancerous by activating them. Cryosurgery is the use of liquid nitrogen on lesions and left to freeze off.
What is actinic keratosis (solar keratosis)?
Actinic keratosis ( solar keratosis) refers to rough, raised, precancerous lesions on the skin that occurs due to excess sun damage. The spots most commonly appear on sun-exposed areas of the face, scalp, back of the hands, feet, and chest.
How can I get rid of actinic keratosis?
You may also be advised to apply sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF). High-factor sunscreens also moisturise, but importantly they will prevent further sun damage to the skin (and hopefully prevent the development of further actinic keratoses). If treatment is advised, there are several options.
Is Aldara a good treatment for solar keratosis?
There are several treatments for solar keratosis. Aldara is a good treatment for this kind of keratosis and it simply works by making the immune destroy precancerous by activating them.