Fluorouracil topical and Discomfort: What Users Say

• Ric...
• November 14, 2010

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "I'm an engineer, now in my 60s, and I have worked outside all my life. I have red hair and fair complexion, you can imagine the skin damage I have accumulated in my lifetime. I had used the Efudex 5% cream years ago and had good results. Three months ago, I began seeing a dermatologist that recommended the 'new' technology 'BLUE LIGHT TREATMENTS'. This did NOT work for me, gave me a very mild 'sunburn' with no apparent effect on the former skin damage, and it was very expensive even after insurance coverage! I requested my treatment to be changed to the proven Efudex. My doctor insisted I stay with the 'blue light', that my skin was 'in very good condition', and that I only needed 'maintenance'. As you may guess, I have changed physicians and now I am being treated with Efudex again. My skin is now in full reaction after only two weeks' treatment with Efudex. Yes, with Efudex, your skin is unsightly and uncomfortable from week 2 through to week 4, but, this is a small price to be cancer-free. Efudex works!"

• Tin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 12, 2015

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I am a 70-year-old male who suffers from Actinic Keratosis from exposure to the harsh rays of the sun. Efudex is a fantastic product. It does exactly what is claimed. Make sure that you wash your hands completely after each application. Do not get it on your lips, or you will experience great discomfort (cracked and bleeding lips). Once you have completed the process (twice a day for 21 days), use Hydroval Cream 0.2% to assist in the healing process (works great)."

• Jul...
• July 30, 2019

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I'm an 'efudex veteran,' having applied the cream to different areas of my sun-damaged face four times in the last 5 years. I've found it very effective in accomplishing what it's supposed to do. The cream does sting and burn for about ten days, but I find the discomfort manageable. Those planning to use this should recognize that the affected area will be somewhat larger than the area that is treated - apparently, the med travels subdermally to neighboring tissues. Also, recognize that for at least 1-2 weeks you will look like hell - take this into account if you need to deal with the public (or closely with colleagues) as part of your work. Once you've developed a nice crust on top of your skin and it's turned brown, apply Vaseline liberally - you will find that you can slide the dead cells off your skin, which is a somewhat gross yet pleasant sensation since it means you're heading to the endpoint of the treatment. Good luck!"

• TJ ...
• September 5, 2015

For Keratosis "This was well worth doing. I initially did my face, and a year later, I am back doing my scalp to finish the process - should have done it all at once. It completely removed all brown spots and left my skin looking 15 years younger. It took three weeks before my skin started 'smoldering,' but it wasn't more painful than a sunburn. Looked very red, and I worked from home for about a week. This worked beyond my dermatologist's and my best-case scenario. Awesome!"

• Tjd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2017

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I had a small spot on my nose. Used this twice a day for 14 days. The spot became very red and got scabby where the precancer is on the skin. After 14 days, I stopped treatment. Now in the healing process. Using Vaseline twice a day. Scabs are showing, coming off on their own. DON'T PEEL. The area is very red but becoming less so a bit. I hear it takes a few weeks for the redness to subside. So far, so good. Not too much discomfort. I did get depressed doing this though, as it's my face and I didn't want to go in public."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2013

For Keratosis "Same as everyone else...very uncomfortable and hard to look at. Dr. says many people go too far by continuing application of cream after 15 days. Stop. My dermatologist prescribed a steroid cream to relieve swelling and quicken the healing process. San Diego born and raised and growing up without sunscreen, there is a lot of sun damage that will be gone."

• AJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "TIP: I highly recommend using Neosporin and Cetaphil moisturizer during recovery days, it helped a lot with healing and irritation. I have 5-6 pre-cancerous lesions on my face. My doctor recommended this cream. She prescribed using it on my forehead to start. Twice a week at night for 8 weeks. This allows the skin to recover in between. I have found it to be irritating to my whole forehead, dries out your skin, which becomes itchy, red, and scaly, and a little swollen. The morning after application is the worst, with it becoming very irritated. It is a little uncomfortable, but not unbearable. I am in week 3, and now the skin around my eyes is swollen and so it's not pretty, but by day 2, your skin is recovering but still scaly and red. I can use makeup to cover if I need to go out. I'll keep you posted on my progress."

• mas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2019

For Keratosis "Using fluorouracil for the second time. This time on the hands and neck, the first time was on the face only. The first time I went 2x/day for 3 weeks on the face. Very, very sore and uncomfortable, but it did heal and worked very well. The hands take a bit longer to show any spots. I applied 2x/day for 3 weeks, getting some crusting and scabbing now, but wonder if I should have gone longer. The neck is acting like the face did and is very spotty and quite sore. I only went 2 weeks on the neck, but I think that will do it. I'll repost after I heal and find out whether it was long enough."

• Lol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "Stinging from the application of fluorouracil, tonight was my first application. I have had AK, did the Ultra Lite, freezings, and now this treatment. It felt like bee stings, finally subsided. I know it has to get worse before it gets better, but can I apply a cool cloth on my face after the application to help with discomfort if I can’t tolerate it?"

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2021

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I'm using Efudex on my forehead - the second time that I have been asked to treat this area for AK - although previously I was prescribed a stronger lotion that had a more sudden reaction. Anyway, I am now in week 3. My forehead feels very tight and hot (some discomfort sleeping), and yes, it feels sore and looks awful with very red blotches. What is surprising is the patches being worked on are lower on my forehead than I anticipated - I had felt the sun damage areas higher up on a receding hairline but not these just above and to the sides of my eyebrows. Yes, it is painful and looks horrid (but shows that it's working), but I've invested in a flat cap to hide at least some of the horrors. I also volunteer at a cancer charity, so I know that staff and probably customers too will be understanding whilst treatment is ongoing. I encourage everyone to try to keep going and to stay the course, but of course to speak with your GP or the skin clinic if you are finding it very hard. Take care, folks!"

• Jud...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2025

For Actinic Keratosis "This is my 3rd time using fluorouracil 5% cream. It is quite unsightly and somewhat uncomfortable skin treatment. This time I am doing the treatment for the (minimum) full 2 weeks, 2X a day. Helpful hints: I apply Vaseline around eyes, lips, and creases on nose before applying cream. Also, I noticed one of the ingredients in fluorouracil cream is white petroleum, so I use a little of that Vaseline after letting the FU cream soak in (>1 hour) to the shabby parts. Also, I've found that a nice gentle warm shower relieves the uncomfortable dryness, then either applying fluorouracil cream (for treatment) or soothing/moisturizing cream (for healing). My doctor recommended using Vaseline for the healing phase. I'm hoping for better results this time because of a full 2-week treatment. Previous results with shorter treatments were less than impressive, and my problem areas came back after a year. Still, I am grateful that there is a medication that can reverse my skin damage and decrease skin cancer. It will be worth the side effects."

• Sm2...
• April 4, 2023

For Warts "Since 2011, I have been struggling with plantar warts on my feet that no doctor has been able to eliminate. I have undergone various treatments, including laser surgery, injections, and acid, but they proved ineffective. Recently, a dermatologist prescribed a 5% compound paste and froze them in the office while instructing me to apply it at home every night and cover them with duct tape until I couldn't bear it anymore. Despite the discomfort, I persevered and applied the treatment for four months, and the warts have nearly vanished. I intend to continue the treatment even if they disappear because they might return quickly. Additionally, I get monthly B12 injections at an IV drip bar, and I believe no pain, no gain. The acid is very aggressive, and I order it online with a prescription. Furthermore, it can burn your hands, so you must use gloves. In conclusion, the treatment works, and I am pleased with the results."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "Using Efudex for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on my nose. Have finished 24 days and plan to go for 4 more days. My dermatologist feels if it hasn’t done the job, then it most likely will not work. My nose has been red since week one, then the affected area scabbed over during week two and three. It was uncomfortable but tolerable. Since I began week four, the pain has become intense at night, almost intolerable. I am trying to soldier on, but it is very stressful. I am using Tylenol and Benadryl, but nothing eases the pain but ice packs. It feels like someone is driving needles or glass in my nose. It’s brutal. My phone doesn’t recognize me anymore."

• Lou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 26, 2025

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "Great success with 14-day broadcast application to my forehead several months ago. Handled persistent AKs and greatly improved cosmetic appearance. Significantly healed after just seven days. Some (very) pale red residual redness remained several weeks thereafter, but quite minor overall. I stayed active in the outside world throughout treatment and healing. Currently in healing phase on whole face - sans forehead - and clavicles. Two-week course again. Definitely a far more painful, uncomfortable, and difficult experience vs. the smooth sailing with my forehead. I’ve become a hermit this time, as my current cosmetic appearance is markedly worse and impairing versus the forehead treatment. I’m again hoping for a complete cosmetic healing in a prompt timeframe, but much greater discoloration and discomfort (PAIN) with this lower facial application at 14 days. It has been a difficult road, but the revealed issues indicate it was wise to proceed with the treatment."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "Used on nose, cheeks, and chin every night for 18 nights when scabbing became apparent, so stopped using. From today, June 3, I can use Canestan steroid cream on the affected areas. Also using oatmeal cream, which is very mild. Areas are very red and unsightly with scabbing and some tightness. Redness and tightness have moved towards my eyes, and this is quite uncomfortable. Persevering. Can’t comment on the outcome as the process is still ongoing."