... liberally! My skin is unbearable without it. I'm going out of my mind with the itching and burning. Is it ok to help the dead thick layers of slimy skin come off? Today it's showing all new blistery looking bumps that haven't been there previously. Very itchy. Was wondering if it was because of the dead skin that has been coming off and the new skin is just raw and vulnerable? Is there anything better to be putting on my skin? It's my entire face and chest and they are unsightly. Has anybody used a topical lidocaine or anything that has helped with the pain and itching?
Fluorouracil - Hi! I finished a 2 week treatment a few days ago. I've been applying aquafor?
Question posted by courthome on 22 April 2017
Last updated on 4 March 2020
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Answers
I'm a year late answering your question, but others may stumble across your question and need an answer too.
When I finished the Fluorouracil cream (and in some cases before I finished the cream if it was unbearable)... I used a lidocaine gel 4% or a lidocaine cream 4%. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes to take effect and in my case, sometimes didn't last long... maybe an hour, but it was just enough for me to fall asleep. I have used it also 2 hrs after using the Fluorouracil and up till 2hrs before my next treatment. A word of caution, if you have progressed to the blistering and crusting open areas, it is going to sting like heck for 2-3 minutes but standing in front of a fan helps till that part passes... I have reapplied it several times during the day... Once finished Fluorouracil, you can use Aquaphor, A&D ointment (or hydrocortisone cream for itching), If you have any broken oozing skin during the Fluorouracil treatment, it's not good to use a petroleum product because it's a $itch to get it off and you must get it off for your next treatment or it will interfere... so, I save the Aquaphor, A$D, and vaseline for after treatment is finished. If I'm still using lidocaine, I put that on first so it can absorb, then apply the A&D etc afterward... It helps to shed the scabs and moisturize the dry skin... itching is so severe at times, I damage the skin before I know it, so I always add a Benadryl at bedtime. It may not help the itch because it's not really a histamine itch, but it knocks me out. At various different times, a warm compress (gel pack) or a cold compress helps... sometimes during the day it stings/itches and it helps to just touch it preferably with a Q tip, but sometimes I just use my finger. I'm getting to be a pro because I have to repeat this often... so now I only do small sections at a time... which means I'll be at this for 2 years lol. I started with the face, neck, and part of my chest... never again... that was far too great an area. I did notice that as I am doing a partial chest, itchy bumpy lesions have popped up on areas I hadn't applied the cream to. Also, for some crazy reason, 1 wk after I started my partial chest, I decided to dab some cream on 2 little spots on both my cheeks that were still seriously discolored... wow!!! 1 application, both my cheeks broke out in lesions... so I stopped immediately. My suggestion is to go slowly.
Thank you for sharing. I was diagnosed with precancerous spots on my face a few weeks before Christmas 2019 and prescribed Flouracil (opted for the compounded formula) - a thin layer one time, after one week if no redness, then apply another thin layer. I have not applied yet due to traveling during the holidays, company two different times (we live in SW FL), babysitting for grandchildren, and then finally bi-lateral foot surgery... in PT now for that. I am not usually a scaredy-cat but the idea of using this is making me very anxious and scared... down in the dumps. Any advice on what to use or do while following this course of treatment will be greatly appreciated. Best of luck to all!
Related topics
pruritus, fluorouracil, skin, burning, treatment
Further information
- Fluorouracil uses and safety info
- Fluorouracil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Fluorouracil (detailed)
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