Carac and Itching: What Users Say

• day...
• December 29, 2009

For Keratosis "I am on day 14 of using Carac. My face is extremely red, tight, itchy, and a little sore, but I've had serious eczema in the past and this isn't nearly as bad as that was. It took about a week to show up on my forehead, but then a couple more days they started intensifying on my cheeks, chin, and sides of my face. It is a little unsightly, but once I explained to people what was going on and that it wasn't permanent or contagious, they seemed to relax. I tried Vaseline for moisturizing, but that seems too greasy. Products with zinc oxide in them seem to give me relief and protect me from the sun as well. Please do not spend ANY time in the sun when using this. The doctor told me it could permanently make your skin darker in those areas!"

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2010

For Keratosis "I just finished a 14-day usage of Carac, as prescribed by my skin doctor. After the first two days, my skin started to turn red, by the 7th it started to flake, and the areas that I needed to apply it to (cheeks, temples, and forehead) turned dark red, like a bad sunburn. Days 8-14 were the worst as to pain on these areas when showering in lukewarm water or washing from the sink bowl, either way I could feel a burning sensation, as well as light bleeding at some areas on the next-to-last day. Flaking of the skin and an itchy feeling now that treatment is done. I wonder how long before my skin color returns to normal. Would I do this again? Yes."

• MHe...
• November 7, 2009

For Skin Cancer "I have used Carac for 4 weeks. After the 1st week, I began seeing flakiness, redness, burning, and itching. Taking a warm shower was painful, being in a car with the heat on was painful. But I've gotten through it. Layers and layers of skin have peeled off. Underneath, my skin is as soft as a baby's bottom and clear. Compared to having these lesions continually burned off, this short-term uncomfortable condition was a better method."

• Jul...
• October 17, 2016

For Actinic Keratosis "21-day treatment. This stuff is brutal, but it works. Make sure you give yourself a full two months for treatment and recovery. This treatment is lengthy, and there is a process to it. Try to plan your treatment in the winter or fall months, when it's cooler. Believe me, you will not want to go outside. Your face will be unsightly, and you will become sensitive to the sun. Use the medicine at night and Aquaphor during the day, or at least two hours after you apply the cream. Cool the cream in the refrigerator for a bit for instant relief. You WILL get itchy. I used a Q-tip dipped in Aquaphor to gently relieve the itch. Be careful around the crevices by your nose. You don't want cream to accumulate there. Hang in there."

• MBF...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2017

For Actinic Keratosis "I have extensive AK on my face and chest and have had 5 basal cell and 1 pre-melanoma lesions removed via surgery. Because of the extensive AK and my history, my derm tried blue light (Levulan). I only made it 8 minutes and had 2nd degree burns. Due to my reaction, my Mohs surgeon recommended Carac in a modified application as I am in sales. I use the cream 7 days, then am off 3-4 weeks. I plan by time of year and my schedule as you can't be in the sun. The Carac cream has been AMAZING! I put it on before bed. I documented my reaction and have found that about day 6 I can see red trouble spots, day 7/8 itching, day 10 scabbing. Overall, my AK has diminished by 80% after 4 cycles since last spring. I took summer/fall off."

• MBF...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2017

For Actinic Keratosis "I have extensive AK on my face and chest and have had 5 basal cell and 1 pre-melanoma lesions removed via surgery. Because of the extensive AK and my history, my derm tried blue light (Levulan). I only made it 8 minutes and had 2nd degree burns. Due to my reaction, my Mohs surgeon recommended Carac in a modified application as I am in sales. I use the cream 7 days, then am off 3-4 weeks. I plan by time of year and my schedule as you can't be in the sun. The Carac cream has been AMAZING! I put it on before bed. I documented my reaction and have found that about day 6 I can see red trouble spots, day 7/8 itching, day 10 scabbing. Overall, my AK has diminished by 80% after 4 cycles since last spring. I took summer/fall off."

• Jig...
• January 17, 2017

For Skin Cancer "10 days into the treatment and my face is borderline unsightly. Had to stop the treatment on my chest because it started scabbing. Just hoping it starts flaking soon as expected! Major pain on my chest when I took it starting around day three. Have not experienced much pain on my face, just a little bit of tightness and itching. Trying to avoid putting moisturizer and makeup on, as my dermatologist says it will slow the healing. That is probably the worst part so far!"

• Gus...
• November 3, 2017

For Actinic Keratosis "I am in the middle of a Carac cream treatment (2 weeks of twice a day, then 2 weeks off, then 2 more weeks of treatment). This is my 4th time using the cream (face, chest) over the years. The results will be good, but the treatment can be challenging. Here is what I have found to be helpful: ice packs make all the difference for me. Whenever I feel the itch coming on, I grab ice and leave it on the area until the itch subsides. Also, triamcinolone cream really helps. My doctor prefers the ointment, but I find it difficult to remove. The cream goes on easily, helps with the itch and the healing. On the worst days, I took a prescription pain pill, which saved me. My doctor recommended it."