Fluorouracil topical and Blisters: What Users Say

• Sar...
• October 7, 2017

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I was diagnosed with actinic keratosis in August and then decided to apply the Efudex cream to face in the middle of September. I thought that I only had a couple of spots which I was concerned about, but after applying the cream to my forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, around the eyes, and my ears, it became quite apparent that there were a vast amount of areas that had been affected. In the first week, I saw that these areas became inflamed, although not painful. In the second week, these areas started to merge together and then looked like blisters and sores on my face, especially below my eyes. In the third week, these started to scab a little and became a bit painful, I think due to the skin feeling very dry. I am now in my fourth and final week."

• isl...
• August 4, 2015

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "62-year-old blonde with blue eyes and fair skin. Spent 50 years in CA and HI getting sunburned. Now... paying the price. I have used Efudex and Carac cream treatments, both burn like crazy, peeling several layers, and red, red, red. I did my whole face at one time but had to stop after 18 days applying once a day. Had blisters and bleeding, crying quite a bit. It took two months after stopping the treatment for the pinkness to disappear. Using SPF 50 every day now under my makeup. Get lots of compliments on how young my skin looks."

• Rud...
• December 20, 2019

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "I was prescribed this cream to treat BCC on my nose. I had a red spot with suspected basal cell carcinoma. My dermatologist wanted me to treat my entire nose to get any spots that hadn't emerged yet. I put it on twice daily for two weeks. It took about a week for anything to happen, but then the spot turned red. Soon my entire nose turned pink. At day 14, my nose was red, with purple areas, blisters, and depressions. I had to put Vaseline on it to tolerate the pain. It felt like someone had burned my face with a hot iron. The skin was pulled taut, and I was afraid of scarring. It has been 8 weeks since the application stopped. It is still a little pink. Unfortunately, it did not get my spot, it is not superficial enough. The cream's redness lasts longer for me than I anticipated. It was an 8-week process for me, and I still have a pink nose. Hope it isn't permanent."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2011

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "Efudex successfully combated skin abnormalities that my doctor had cancer concerns about. I used Efudex for ten days and then stopped because of blistering; they were small, but covered my face. It's been almost two months after my treatment and I still have an unsightly, coarse rash. The steroid cream I used five days afterwards eased the appearance of the rash, but because of concerns over skin thinning, I could not continue with the cream."

• Sla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

For Actinic Keratosis "I had extensive AKs for the past 10 years on my forehead, scalp, temples, face, and hands. Regular liquid nitrogen treatments removed those that were visible. They would return, and other unseen AKs would appear. I wanted more effective treatment, so I did almost 3 weeks of heavy applications of fluorouracil 5%, 2x/day. The burning, blistering, cracking, stinging, and swelling are most impressive. After nearly 3 weeks, my derm said I was done, and it would take 2 weeks to improve a lot, and 4 to be all better. He was right. My skin is great now, looks good, and no AKs! It's miserable getting there, but less cancer risk - why wouldn't you do it?"

• Blu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 8, 2019

For Keratosis "My Derm Dr. prescribed fluorouracil 5 years ago to use on a dark skin spot I was worried about. Used once a day for three weeks prior to anything happening. I increased the area to my entire cheek. After three weeks, the skin started turning red and I continued to use it until it started to blister. I stopped using it, but it continued to progress and the area became one big bloody mess like a skinned knee. In the end, a month later, the scab is gone and the skin is fresh and new. Five years later, I started using it again and this time on one side of my face. Interestingly, the previously treated area is unaffected and new areas all scabbed over. I'm into my 4th round on this side of my face and now most of the unaffected area is getting red and starting to dig out more damaged cells. I'm getting good at knowing when to stop applying, and when the first scab appears, I stop and the cream continues to peel the entire area. I look like I came off a motorcycle now, but know once it heals it will look great."

• All...
• January 17, 2018

For Keratosis "Dr. told me about fluorouracil. She also showed me photos of people, this helped me mentally. I completed my 14 days. I had bright red areas on my face, spots on my face and chest. Crusty skin spots that cracked, everything hurt. My chest was worst, with blistering and drainage. The worst thing that happened-somehow I got cream on my lip. I believe it came from the pillow. My lip blistered and was swollen. I found using vitamin E liquid was helpful in relief for my lip. I am using A&D on the red area, crusty spots, and chest. Feels great. I covered my pillow with a silky pajama top. This really helps me sleep better. What gave me encouragement was the other remarks and knowing the 'norm.'"

• one...
• November 26, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "Treating the whole face for 2 weeks, twice a day. Actinic cheilitis on lips, so am applying it to lips too. Aquaphor on the inner lip before application to block it. Lips react before the rest of your face, and treatment is shorter-7-10 days. The lips will crack, blister, bleed, and hurt. Use a straw. If you had any kind of sensitive skin or rosacea, or even hormonal irritable skin around the mouth and nose prior to treatment, this will erupt almost more than areas with cancer or AKs. ‘Normal’ skin definitely will be affected and will actually tend to scar and discolor more than cancerous areas after treatment. My first doc told me none of this, my second one did. I'll continue to put on AK areas, but not in those other zones. Get a good doctor. If they tell you to do your whole face, question that or get a second opinion-I now know I didn't need it, and spot treatment would have been much more appropriate, and that much of this suffering was not needed."

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2018

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "Used this once daily for two weeks on my cheek. After the last day, I was out in December sun for approximately an hour in LA, with sunscreen. However, days later, I developed swelling and then large blisters, which healed with large scabs. Thankfully, when they fell off, I was left with only red skin, with a few blood spots under the skin. All healed over in three weeks. Unfortunately, this experience has left me weary of using it again."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2022

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "As expected, this treatment is horrendous. Week 1 was not too bad. Week 2 was extremely difficult, lack of sleep, etc. Week 3, truly awful! Extreme pain, care must be taken when showering. I used lukewarm water on my face, I found this helped, but then the skin went tight. After applying Efudix, I waited an hour or so before applying a moisturizer (Nivea for Men Sensitive, alcohol-free). Sleep is extremely difficult due to the terrible itch - scratch - itch! Week 4. I had to stop using Efudix! Swollen face, half-closed eyes, however, it has definitely worked, with blistering, weeping, and peeling beginning. Because of the swelling around my eyes, I rang my doctor, and we agreed to cease any further application, as Efudix has done the job! I am now experiencing bouts of severe itching - tried all sorts of lotions and potions, but alas, no relief. Nivea seems to give a little relief. I've read you often feel worse when you stop using Efudix, and it's true!"

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2021

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I was prescribed Efudex cream for lip actinic keratosis to be applied once a day, and nothing could have prepared me for the forthcoming experience I was about to endure! The cream itself is easy to use, and as expected, on day 7 my lip reacted... a huge blister from one end to the other, and on day 9 it started to split, weep, and crust over in rotation, and I'm still going through that now. On day 35, I stopped the cream on day 28! Eating has been a nightmare... can’t bite into anything and living on soft foods... bonus being I’ve lost 10 lb in weight."

• Fem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2023

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I used Efudex for 6 weeks in total. I did stop the treatment at intervals when the blistering became too bad. I used it at night and put makeup on during the day to cover all the redness. It is the worst experience I have had with my skin. But looking at my face now, it was worth it. It is 2 months since I stopped, and I still have slight redness in certain areas. However, the improvement in my skin has been wonderful. I will always use 50 factor sun cream when I go out. Heliocare is very good. I hope and pray that I never will have to use Efudex again."

• Lad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2023

Fluorouracil topical "I completed two rounds (nine months between treatments) treating a small spot on the left side of my nose with Tolak. The treating physician stated the spot 'did not look like cancer,' did not biopsy, and recommended a month treatment regimen with Tolak. After nine months, the spot returned. The physician again recommended Tolak for a month and no biopsy as he 'just did not think it was cancerous.' After the second round, the spot remained, and I insisted on a biopsy, which was positive for basal cell carcinoma. I was then referred to a medical university specialty clinic for Mohs surgery, including reconstructive surgery. The physician there told me Tolak was not useful in treating BCC on areas like the nose and resulted in mine becoming more extensive. I will never use this treatment again. While on the Tolak, the only side effects I had were blistering on the application area after a few days and tiredness around week two. Be safe - get a second opinion before opting for this treatment."

• Mil...
• June 17, 2024

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "This is my 3rd time using Efudex cream. I have been told by my dermatologist to use Efudex cream 2 times a day for 2 weeks on lower lip, forehead (1 spot), between upper lip and nose (1 spot), and both hands. I have very fair pale skin. My skin reacted really quickly to the cream. In 5 days, my skin was red with blisters and itchy, very uncomfortable. Now I am on day 10 and my hands are swollen, itchy, with scabs, very dry, and uncomfortable. I am applying fresh aloe vera gel from my yard 2 to 3 times a day. I am not sure I can make it to 14 days. I will write to let you know the results."

• geb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2021

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "This is my second time using the Carac! I have light skin and very light blue eyes. As a child, if we went to the beach, I would always get blisters on my shoulders. So that's how delicate my skin is. I also love the beach and raised my children on Cape Cod in Mass. So the beach was in walking distance and we loved it. I was always under an umbrella. But between swimming laps and skiing all over the USA, the sun has done its damage. The first time I was in my 40s, and it was really hard because I was a hairdresser and could not take a lot of time off work. But I saved my vacation time for the last two weeks. Now I am in my 70s and in the FL hot sun and started a week ago with Carac, and wow... My skin looks like it was burnt by fire. But I know in 3 weeks I will have gotten rid of all the red spots that would have taken a lot more money and my time running back and forth to the DR to have him burn off two or three spots and say, see you in a month... HAPPY IN FL. THANK YOU CARAC... MY TUBS LASTED FOREVER!"

• B H...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2021

For Actinic Keratosis "I’m on day 6 of recovering from 14 days of 2x per day treatment of my full face: forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and around lips. I’m a light-skinned Scotch-Irish complexion who has spent many summers near the equator on 4 continents and 4 winters in Siberia. The whole face lit up like a Christmas tree at about day 6 and then at day 8 or 9 with little blisters and sores that turned to scales over a lot of my forehead, cheeks, and chin. The last 3 days of applying Efudex were torture. I did this treatment in 2006, so I knew ahead of time that it would be rough, but now at age 68, the reaction was more widespread and intense. The worst were blisters on my lips. I used Tylenol during the day and hydrocodone on the worst nights for pain and applied Aquaphor salve during treatment and am now using aloe vera gel with itching and peeling. I have also taken Benadryl to help with itching, and last night I was able to sleep several hours. If doing this again, I would do parts of my face at a time."

• Sus...
• December 6, 2022

For Actinic Keratosis "Used Efudix 5% cream on solar keratosis of the upper lip. The dermatologist prescribed it for two weeks, warning of a 'cold sore-like' localized reaction. On day 10, my upper and lower lips blistered badly, where the cream had not been applied. Very painful, but I persisted with the treatment until the end. Warm, salty water applied regularly relieved some of the pain. At night, I slathered my lips with Ungvita Vitamin A cream, then a thick cream for nappy (diaper) rash on top. Both lips were blistered, cracked, and bleeding. They're healing now, and I hope the keratosis is gone."

• Dol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2023

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I used Efudex for 6 weeks in total. I did stop the treatment at intervals when the blistering became too bad. I used it at night and put makeup on during the day to cover all the redness. It is the worst experience I have had with my skin. But looking at my face now, it was worth it. It is 2 months since I stopped, and I still have slight redness in certain areas. However, the improvement in my skin has been wonderful. I will always use 50 factor sun cream when I go out. Heliocare is very good. I hope and pray that I never will have to use Efudex again."